I tend to assume that those compound eyes were really intended to be actual compound eyes, because the Gorn are aliens, not dinosaurs.

I also find 'These are the Voyages' something of a relief, because it makes it clear that the whole series was an in-universe holonovel series, thus nicely explaining away all the plotholes.

“They planned their campaigns just as you might make a splendid piece of harness. It looks very well; and answers very well; until it gets broken; and then you are done for. Now I made my campaigns of ropes. If anything went wrong, I tied a knot; and went on.”
-- Arthur Wellesley, First Duke of Wellington