If you’ve ever dreamed of ocean blue eyes but were born with an eye color that looks more like dirt, there are ways to achieve those baby blues — but experts warn the procedures could leave you blind.
Although genetics determine eye color, not everyone is satisfied with their natural shade.
The eyes get their color from the iris, which can be brown, black, green, blue, hazel or a combination. Genes from a person’s parents determine the color of the iris.
However, due to the many possible combinations, it is not possible to clearly predict a child’s eye color based on the parents’ eyes alone.
In addition, eye color can change slightly during the first few years of life, with many babies’ eyes darkening over time.
But once a person reaches adulthood and is still dissatisfied with their eye color and wants to change it permanently, there are three options.
But all are invasive, expensive — and not covered by insurance — and some are not allowed in the U.S., requiring international travel and risky procedures.
People looking for a permanent – and drastic – change in eye color have three options: corneal tattooing, laser depigmentation and iris implantation
Dr. James Tsai, president of the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary at Mount Sinai, told ABC News, “These risks can threaten vision and include glaucoma, cataracts and corneal problems.”
In addition, experts at the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Glaucoma Society and the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists strongly recommend changing your eye color permanently due to the risk of infection and vision problems.
Some people turn to wearing contact lenses to temporarily change the appearance of their eyes before resorting to dangerous procedures for a permanent change.
There are three types of lenses available to change eye color: vision lenses, enhancing lenses and opaque lenses.
The visibility options are only slightly tinted and subtly change the eye color. The Enhancement versions are semi-opaque and can enhance any color you want. Opaque lenses have a fully colored iris, allowing a person to completely change their eye color.
The colors of these lenses are purple, blue, brown, green, hazel and grey. A doctor’s prescription is required for cosmetic contact lenses.
Those seeking a more permanent — and drastic — eye color change also have three options: corneal tattooing, laser depigmentation, and iris implantation.
Although these procedures are sometimes used after an eye injury or disease, they are also used cosmetically to permanently change eye color.
Corneal tattooing—officially called laser keratopigmentation—uses a laser to deliver colored dye precisely into the clear dome at the front of the eye, called the cornea.
Tameka “Tiny” Harris traveled to Africa in 2014 to have her eye color changed from brown to ice gray.
The laser creates “tunnels” in the cornea into which the dye is then injected. Before the procedure, drops are used to numb the eye. Your head will then be secured with a strap and a device will be placed under your eyelids to prevent your eyes from blinking.
Although it does not affect the actual iris at all, the color added to the cornea hides the true color of the iris.
Laser keratopigmentation is unlikely to cause pain during the procedure. However, risks include eye damage, uneven eye color, dye leakage causing color fading, and perforation of the cornea, causing it to collapse.
Other risks include vision problems such as sensitivity to light as well as allergic reactions to the dye, inflammation, bacterial infections, corneal ulcers and scarring.
Corneal tattooing is performed by a certified ophthalmologist and is not covered by insurance. The cost for both eyes is estimated at $10,000, and patients fully recover within a week.
The second method of changing eye color is laser depigmentation, which is used to lighten eye color by targeting melanin, the pigment that gives skin, hair and eyes their color.
Dark eyes contain more melanin than light eyes.
This process takes place over several sessions. Laser beams penetrate the cornea and heat the brown pigment on the surface of the iris, revealing the blue or green color underneath.
Anesthetic eye drops are also used beforehand and patients report an almost pain-free experience. Since the color change takes several weeks, recovery is slower than with a corneal tattoo: it takes a maximum of four weeks.
During recovery, you may experience blurred vision, red and watery eyes, sensitivity to light and headaches.
Laser depigmentation is also performed by a licensed ophthalmologist and can cost between $5,000 and $7,000 for both eyes. It is not guaranteed.
The third and most dramatic way to change the color of your eyes is through iris implantation, in which an iris prosthesis is inserted to cover a person’s natural iris.
The technique was originally used to repair iris defects caused by injury, infection or defect, but the number of people using this technique for purely cosmetic reasons is increasing.
You can choose from blue, green, brown and black.
For the procedure, a certified ophthalmologist cuts the cornea where it meets the white part of the eyes. A silicone iris is then inserted through the incision and placed over the natural iris.
This procedure has the most serious side effects, including glaucoma, cataracts, infections, ulcers, scarring, and reduced vision or total blindness.
Recovery can take two to eight weeks.
Iris implantation is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for cosmetic purposes, forcing people seeking the procedure to travel abroad where it can be performed. It is also not insured and costs about $10,000 for both eyes.
Experts previously said Americans often travel to Panama, where some doctors perform the procedure.
Dr. Tsai, who is also a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, previously said, “Some online discussions say the procedure is safe, claiming that “the technology used is similar to that used to treat cataracts. “
“This is both false and misleading.” We strongly caution people against cosmetic iris implantation.”
In 2014, Tameka “Tiny” Harris made headlines when she revealed that she traveled to Africa for the procedure and her eyes changed from brown to gray.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Glaucoma Society, and the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists all strongly recommend against implantation, warning that complications can occur, requiring additional procedures and increasing the risk of total blindness.
In a small study, nine out of fourteen patients who underwent the procedure had to have their implants removed.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
