Abstract: An eye shield (1) for retaining an eye (2) of an anaesthetized subject closed during a surgical procedure for protecting the eye from injury comprises a patch (3) of substantially oval shape having a rear major surface (7). An upper adhesive portion (14) and a lower adhesive portion (15) of the rear major surface (7) are coated with a self-adhesive coatings (11,12) for securing the patch (3) to an upper eyelid (9) and a lower eyelid (10), respectively. An adhesive tab (16) extends downwardly from the lower adhesive portion (15) for securing the patch (3) to a portion (17) of the face of the subject below the eye (2). A non-adhesive portion (18) extends along a major axis (5) between borders (37,38) of the upper and lower adhesive portions (14,15), respectively, for preventing adhesion of the patch (3) to eyelashes of the upper and lower eyelids (9,10).