SAN FRANCISCO— The American Academy of Ophthalmologyis warning the public against two eye color-changing surgeries that are trending on social media: iris implant surgery and a laser surgery that inserts pigment into the cornea. Both of these surgeries carry serious risks for vision loss and complications. These risks and complications should be fully disclosed to patients. Patients contemplating these procedures for cosmetic reasons alone must weigh these serious risks against the potential gain.
Iris implants have been FDA approved for patients who are missing part or all of their iris, the colored part of the eye, due to injury or a birth defect. Surgery involves inserting an artificial iris made of silicone through a slit that has been cut into the eye at the edge of the cornea. Then the artificial iris is unfolded inside of the eye and adjusted to cover the natural iris.
Patients who have the procedure for medical reasons also risk complications from implant surgery, but the benefits of gaining an iris may outweigh their risks. In some cases, these devices have been inappropriately adapted for cosmetic use. Instead of repairing a defect, they are placed on top of a normal, intact iris to change iris color. Serious complications have been reported in patients receiving iris implants for cosmetic reasons, even requiring removal of the implant.
Potential complications of cosmetic iris implant surgery include:
- Reduced vision or blindness;
- Light sensitivity;
- Elevated pressure inside the eye that can lead to glaucoma, a potentially blinding disease;
- Cataract, or clouding of the eye's naturally clear lens;
- Injury to the cornea, the clear outer area of the eye that focuses light and makes vision possible. If severe enough, a corneal transplant may be needed;
- Inflammation of the iris or areas around it, leading to pain, blurred vision and tearing.
Keratopigmentation, also referred to as eye tattooing, is surgery performed on the cornea itself. The natural cornea is crystal clear and shows the color of the iris underneath it inside the eye. Keratopigmentation involves using a needle or a laser to create space in the cornea itself, into which a color pigment is injected, permanently changing the cornea from clear to opaque and covering over the natural iris color inside.
Possible risks include:
- Damage to the cornea that can lead to cloudiness, warpage, fluid leakage and vision loss;
- Light sensitivity;
- Reaction to the dye, which can cause inflammation, uveitis or blood vessel growth into the cornea;
- Bacterial or fungal infection, which can produce corneal scarring and vision loss;
- Uneven distribution of the dye;
- Leakage of the dye into the eye;
- Color fading due to the dye moving or leaking into the eye.
“Don’t think that these surgeries carry no risk,” said JoAnn A. Giaconi, MD, clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “No surgery is free of risk. With purely cosmetic surgeries on the eye, it’s just not worth the risk when it comes to your good vision.”
The Academy advises that the safest way to change eye color is to find out if you are a suitable candidate for colored contact lenses, which should only be worn as prescribed, dispensed, and fitted by a qualified eye health professional.
For more information about eye health and how to protect your eyes, visit the Academy’s EyeSmartwebsite.
About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. We innovate and support research to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. Our EyeSmart®program provides the public with the most trusted information about eye health. For more information, visitaao.org.
FAQs
SAN FRANCISCO — The American Academy of Ophthalmology is warning the public against two eye color-changing surgeries that are trending on social media: iris implant surgery and a laser surgery that inserts pigment into the cornea. Both of these surgeries carry serious risks for vision loss and complications.
What are the risks of eye color change surgery? ›
Eye color change procedures, none of which are FDA-approved, carry with them risks that include severe light sensitivity, glaucoma, cataracts, corneal disease, vision loss and blindness. Side effects may manifest shortly after a procedure or take years to develop.
What is the new surgery to change eye color? ›
Keratopigmentation, a procedure to permanently change one's eye color that has been performed for at least a decade in Europe, is gaining popularity in the United States.
Are color changing eye drops FDA approved? ›
Silver sulfate or argentum, which can permanently change the white color of your eyes. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) as an active ingredient. These products are unapproved drugs and illegally marketed in the U.S. There are no legally marketed ophthalmic drugs that contain MSM as an active ingredient.
What is the safest way to change your eye color? ›
If you want to change your eye color, opt for a non-invasive, temporary change, such as using tinted contacts. Wearing prescription or decorative contacts may come with some risks, but contacts can be far safer than going under the knife.
What is the safest eye color change surgery? ›
NewEyes 7G is the most advanced technique in the world to change the color of the iris and, therefore, the color of the eyes, in a safe, efficient and predictable manner. The results are completely natural, and generally predictable.
Can I change my eye color naturally? ›
Some people promote the use of honey and tepid water to change the color of the eyes gradually. No scientific evidence supports this method, and it is not considered safe. Tap water and honey are not sterile and can cause infection.
How much does eye color change surgery cost in the US? ›
Cost. Laser depigmentation costs somewhat less than other eye color change procedures because it doesn't involve any cutting of tissues. Prices can vary greatly by providers, ranging from $5,000 to $7,000 or more for both eyes.
Do eye color changing drops really work? ›
As for eye drops claiming they can permanently lighten your eye color, she says there's no evidence those will be effective. “You're actually stopping melanin from being produced, and that's really difficult to do, when you're talking about something penetrating into the eye to make a difference,” Cobin-Simon said.
What is the rarest eye color in the world? ›
Of those four, green is the rarest. It shows up in about 9% of Americans but only 2% of the world's population. Hazel/amber is the next rarest color after green. Blue is the second most common and brown tops the list, found in 45% of the U.S. population and possibly almost 80% worldwide.
Berne's and LightEyez eye drops due to a similar issue. And in early February, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urged people to stop using EzriCare eye drops, after bacterial contamination in the product was linked to a string of hospitalizations and one death.
Can honey change eye color? ›
Answer: Using honey to change eye color is an urban myth. Your iris, a structure that is in the center of the eyeball, determines the eye color; not any substance placed on the surface of the eye. Introducing foreign substances may expose the eye to irritating and harmful materials that could be potentially disastrous.
Can brown eyes turn blue? ›
For most people, eye color will not change significantly past infancy. If you notice a change in your eye color, set an appointment with an eye doctor to help find the cause.
Are eye color changing drops safe? ›
Your MSM, color changing, and eye lightening eye drop products are not generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) for their above-referenced uses and, therefore, these products are “new drugs” under section 201(p) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 321(p).
How long does it take to recover from eye color surgery? ›
Recovery. The change in eye color with laser depigmentation is not immediate. It can take up to four weeks for the body to reabsorb the brown layer and fully reveal the underlying blue or green color. There may be mild blurring, red eye, tearing, and light sensitivity an hour or two after the procedure.
Is iris implant surgery safe? ›
Studies show that serious complications of the iris-implant procedure can include: Reduced vision or blindness; Elevated pressure inside the eye that can lead to glaucoma, a potentially blinding disease; Cataract (clouding of the eye's naturally clear lens);
Is laser eye surgery safe? ›
So, if you're considering laser eye surgery, is it worth the risk? Ultimately, that's for you to decide, but the data shows that laser eye surgery is an incredibly safe procedure. In fact, you're 5 times more likely to suffer from vision problems as a result of wearing contact lenses than from corrective surgery.
