Most people feel the visions concerning Mat losing an eye mean he will literally lose an eye. We know that in this series dreams, visions, and prophecies can be symbolic as well as literal.

For example, Perrin does not really have a falcon and a hawk perched on his shoulders. He has Faile and Berelain. And Rand did not slay his people with the sword of peace. But rather told them they used to be pacifists. So why then does Mat have to literally lose an eye? Could this refer to something else? And if so what? This is my interpretation of some of the visions regarding Mat.

1) The Finn prophecy that Mat will: Give up half the light of the world to save the world. (The Shadow Rising, chapter 15, Into the doorway)

2) Both Egwene's and Min's dream/viewing of Mat eye on a balance scale. Egwene's dream, Mat placing his own left eye on a balance scale. (The Dragon Reborn, chapter 25, Questions) Min's viewing, a red eagle, an eye on a balance scale, a dagger with a ruby, a horn, and a laughing face. (The Eye of the World, chapter 15, strangers and friends)

3) Mat throwing dice with blood streaming down his face, the wide brim pulled low so she could not see his wound. (The Fires of Heaven, chapter 15, What can be learned in dreams)

4) Min's viewing that Rand will almost certainly fail without a woman who is dead and gone. What good to tell him he would almost certainly fail without a woman who was dead and gone? (A Crown of Swords, chapter 35, Into the woods)

Now when talking about Mat losing his eye I have always believed this meant his foxhead medallion as it is described as having only one eye.

I also feel that the Finn prophecy about giving up half the light of the world is talking about the same event. Jordan is fond of using points of view and perspectives of characters. With that in mind, would half the light of the world be the same thing to the daughter heir of Andor and a white cloak like Byar, a Carhienin lord and an Aiel clan chief, or even close friends like Mat and Perrin? I don't think so. So we need to see what is important to Mat. In my opinion the two things that identify Mat and that Mat treasures are

1) His luck, it is his defining trait and he uses it to his advantage whenever possible.

2) His foxhead medallion, his shield against rabid Asha Man and meddling Aes Sedai.

Some people would say his memories, but from many places in Mat's point of view he thinks of the memories as more of a curse than a blessing. So with these things in mind, what could make Mat give up this eye and half the light of his world?

To answer that question let's take a look at Egwene's dream “Mat throwing dice with blood streaming down his face, the wide brim pulled low so she could not see the wound.” When I first read this I thought it was another version of “the dicing with the Dark One dream she had before. Then I looked at it a different way. What games used dice in this series? Not stones or sha' rah only spots, crowns, and snakes and foxes.

Now I'm thinking Mat would need a bloody good reason to go back and dice with the Finn and a woman in distress is just the thing. Mat, Rand, and Perrin all seem to have a soft spot for the fairer sex. When Mat finds out about the tower of Genji from Perrin or Birgitte he will grump about it but will eventually decide she must be rescued. (With some urging from Thom of course)

We know that when the Finn give gifts they want payment for their services. So to release Moiraine they will want something in return. The irony of Mat giving up his protection against the One Power to save an Aes Sedai is something I think Jordan's warped mind would think of.

In one chain of events Mat can fulfill three visions and bring back Moiraine so Min's vision concerning Rand certainly failing without her, will be solved.