The several passages in the Torah that mandate
`ayin tachat `ayin, shen tachat shen ("eye for eye, tooth for tooth," etc.) are interpreted and explicated in the authoritative Oral Tradition which Moses received from G-d on Mt. Sinai. Its true interpretation is that someone who has caused someone to lose an eye, tooth, limb, etc., must recompense the victim with a monetary amount equivalent to the lost organ/limb.
Never in Jewish history has it been interpreted any differently. Jewish courts have never plucked out eyes or teeth, etc.
Well, essentially that’s what it means.
Not strictly an eye for an eye, but for the thief to recompense his one-eyed victim for the harm done him.