Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen It Is UsedSafetyKeratopigmentationLaser DepigmentationIris Implant SurgeryCostTemporary OptionsNatural Color Changes
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
When It Is Used
Safety
Keratopigmentation
Laser Depigmentation
Iris Implant Surgery
Cost
Temporary Options
Natural Color Changes
Eye color change surgery is used to change the colored part of the eye, called theiris, after an injury or other medical condition affecting the eye. It is also used for cosmetic reasons as a permanent alternative to colored contact lenses.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Can You Permanently Change Your Eye Color?
Three procedures are used to change eye color:
Eye color change surgery is generally an elective procedure since the color of the iris does not affect vision. That said, if an eye injury or condition causes a color change and visual symptoms (e.g., glares, halos, and light sensitivity), it may be a necessary part of reconstructive surgery.
Eye color change is sometimes an “add-on” to procedures likecataract surgery,lens implant, or corneal transplant.
Eye color change surgery is also used for purely aesthetic reasons and comes with considerable risks.
Is Eye Color Change Surgery Safe?
Each eye color change surgery procedure carries risks, including the potential for reduced vision and blindness. It is essential to discuss potential risks with your ophthalmology team.
There are medical indications for iris implants, and the benefits may outweigh the risks in these situations. Individuals with medical conditions associated with their irises, such as congenital abnormalities, can experience several types of visual disturbances, which an iris implant can alleviate or reduce.
However, many eye color change surgeries are performed for cosmetic purposes, and the consensus among eye care professionals is that the risks outweigh the benefits. The American Academy of Ophthalmologists issued a statement in January 2024 detailing the dangers of eye-color-changing procedures, as these procedures were trending on social media at the time.
Expert ConsensusThe American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists strongly discourage people from undergoing cosmetic iris implant surgery due to the potential damage it may cause to healthy eyes.
Expert Consensus
The American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists strongly discourage people from undergoing cosmetic iris implant surgery due to the potential damage it may cause to healthy eyes.
Laser Keratopigmentation
Laser keratopigmentation, also known as “corneal tattooing, " doesn’t change the color of the iris but adds color to the cornea to conceal it.
Keratopigmentation uses lasers to create a series of circular tunnels of uniform depth in the cornea. A color dye is then injected into the tunnels. Robotic lasers ensure a more even color distribution than older “needle-puncture” techniques.
Keratopigmentation is done with anesthetic eye drops to numb the eyes. Your head is strapped into a harness to keep it still, and a caliper-like device will hold your eyelid open and prevent blinking. The procedure may be uncomfortable but causes little, if any, pain.
Risks
Despite the accuracy of this technique, keratopigmentation is not without risks. While every effort is made to stabilize the eye and head, any accidental movement can lead to errors and possible injury. Other complications can arise after the procedure.
Possible risks of laser keratinization include:
Laser keratopigmentation is contraindicated for people with corneal diseases or those who have hadrefractive eye surgery like LASIK.
Additionally, the long-term risks of keratopigmentation are unknown.
Recovery
Keratopigmentation has a relatively short recovery time because the corneal surface is untouched and the dye is contained within the corneal tunnels.
While laser keratopigmentation is an additive procedure, laser depigmentation is a subtractive procedure.
Laser depigmentation is performed over a series of sessions. Low-energy laser beams heat the brown pigment on the surface of the iris and reveal the blue or green color underneath. The laser beams pass through the cornea without causing any injury.
The procedure, performed with anesthetic eyedrops, is said to be painless.
Compared to the other eye color change techniques, laser depigmentation appears to be less problematic. Risks include:
Laser depigmentation is contraindicated in people with glaucoma.
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. If iritis occurs, it tends to be brief, causing headaches, abnormal pupils, and light sensitivity.
Iris implant surgery is a more invasive procedure that involves the insertion of a prosthetic iris to cover the natural iris. It is performed as an outpatient procedure using a local anesthetic.
Most iris implants are available in stock colors such as blue, green, brown, and black. People who desire color change in one eye may order customized iris to match the other eye.
To implant the iris, the ophthalmologist makes a small incision in the cornea where it meets the sclera (white of the eye). The silicone iris is folded and inserted through the incision. The prosthetic is then unfolded and sutured into position over the natural iris.
The risks of iris implant surgery are significant and sometimes severe, making them a less attractive option for people seeking an eye color change.
Some of the most serious complications include:
Iris implants are contraindicated in people with glaucoma anddiabetic retinopathy.
For the first 24 to 48 hours after iris implant surgery, your eye may feel slightly gritty or scratchy, and your eyes may be teary and sensitive to light. It is not uncommon for your vision to remain slightly blurry for the first week or so.
A protective eye patch may be needed to prevent you from touching or scratching the eye while you sleep. Recovery time can range anywhere from two to eight weeks.
How Much Does Eye Color Change Surgery Cost?
Iris Implants:The FDA has not approved this procedure for any reason other than treating certain medical conditions. However, some individuals choose to travel overseas to undergo iris implants.
Temporarily Changing Your Eye Color
If you are seeking to change your eye color for cosmetic reasons, temporary options allow you to do so on demand.
Colored contact lenses are the easiest option. Available in both prescription and plain lenses, there are several types to choose from:
However, other essential eye structures, such as the retina, which is required for vision, rely on melanin. Side effects of eye-color-changing drops include infection, inflammation, and vision loss.
Can Eye Color Change Over Time?
Eye colors will usually remain the same throughout a person’s life. However, for some, melanin levels can change as they get older, making their eyes seem lighter. This is harmless and nothing to be worried about.
However, several medical conditions can cause your eye color to change spontaneously. These include:
If you notice the color of one or both your eyes has suddenly changed, see an ophthalmologist, as this may be a sign of a serious medical condition.
Summary
Several procedures can permanently change your eye color. Laser keratopigmentation “tattoos” the cornea to conceal the underlying iris. Laser depigmentation removes pigment-producing cells covering the iris to reveal the blue or green color underneath. Iris implant surgery covers your natural iris with a soft silicone prosthetic.
These procedures carry possible risks, some of which may be serious. None are FDA-approved for cosmetic purposes.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hasani H, Es’hagi A, Rafatnia S, Aililou S, Abolmaali M.Keratopigmentation: a comprehensive review.Eye (Lond).2020 Jun;34(6):1039–1046. doi:10.1038/s41433-019-0750-2Krishnan VM, Todorova MG, Wiechens B, Valmaggia C, Varde MA.The artificial iris – Analysis of various implantation techniques after ocular trauma.Indian J Ophthalmol. 2021;69(12):3526-3531.American Academy of Ophthalmology.American Academy of Ophthalmology issues warning on the dangers of eye color-changing procedures.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Cosmetic iris implants carry risk of permanent eye damage, vision loss.Karslioglu MZ, Tas AY, Kesim C, Sahin A, Muftuoglu O.Keratopigmentation: is it a miracle or an adventure?Beyoglu Eye J.2020;5(1):32–7. doi:10.14744/bej.2020.76476D’Oria F, Abu-Mustafa SK, Alio JL.Cosmetic change of the apparent color of the eye: a review on surgical alternatives, outcomes, and complications.Ophthalmol Ther.2022 Apr;11(2):465–77. doi:10.1007/s40123-022-00458-2Kumar H, Mansoori T, Warjri GB, Somarajan B, Bandil S, Gupta V.Lasers in glaucoma.Indian J Ophthalmol.2018 Nov;66(11):1539–53. doi:10.4103/ijo.IJO_555_18American Academy of Ophthalmology.What ophthalmologists want you to know about eye color-changing drops.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Why are my eyes changing color?Updated Jan 27, 2021.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hasani H, Es’hagi A, Rafatnia S, Aililou S, Abolmaali M.Keratopigmentation: a comprehensive review.Eye (Lond).2020 Jun;34(6):1039–1046. doi:10.1038/s41433-019-0750-2Krishnan VM, Todorova MG, Wiechens B, Valmaggia C, Varde MA.The artificial iris – Analysis of various implantation techniques after ocular trauma.Indian J Ophthalmol. 2021;69(12):3526-3531.American Academy of Ophthalmology.American Academy of Ophthalmology issues warning on the dangers of eye color-changing procedures.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Cosmetic iris implants carry risk of permanent eye damage, vision loss.Karslioglu MZ, Tas AY, Kesim C, Sahin A, Muftuoglu O.Keratopigmentation: is it a miracle or an adventure?Beyoglu Eye J.2020;5(1):32–7. doi:10.14744/bej.2020.76476D’Oria F, Abu-Mustafa SK, Alio JL.Cosmetic change of the apparent color of the eye: a review on surgical alternatives, outcomes, and complications.Ophthalmol Ther.2022 Apr;11(2):465–77. doi:10.1007/s40123-022-00458-2Kumar H, Mansoori T, Warjri GB, Somarajan B, Bandil S, Gupta V.Lasers in glaucoma.Indian J Ophthalmol.2018 Nov;66(11):1539–53. doi:10.4103/ijo.IJO_555_18American Academy of Ophthalmology.What ophthalmologists want you to know about eye color-changing drops.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Why are my eyes changing color?Updated Jan 27, 2021.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Hasani H, Es’hagi A, Rafatnia S, Aililou S, Abolmaali M.Keratopigmentation: a comprehensive review.Eye (Lond).2020 Jun;34(6):1039–1046. doi:10.1038/s41433-019-0750-2Krishnan VM, Todorova MG, Wiechens B, Valmaggia C, Varde MA.The artificial iris – Analysis of various implantation techniques after ocular trauma.Indian J Ophthalmol. 2021;69(12):3526-3531.American Academy of Ophthalmology.American Academy of Ophthalmology issues warning on the dangers of eye color-changing procedures.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Cosmetic iris implants carry risk of permanent eye damage, vision loss.Karslioglu MZ, Tas AY, Kesim C, Sahin A, Muftuoglu O.Keratopigmentation: is it a miracle or an adventure?Beyoglu Eye J.2020;5(1):32–7. doi:10.14744/bej.2020.76476D’Oria F, Abu-Mustafa SK, Alio JL.Cosmetic change of the apparent color of the eye: a review on surgical alternatives, outcomes, and complications.Ophthalmol Ther.2022 Apr;11(2):465–77. doi:10.1007/s40123-022-00458-2Kumar H, Mansoori T, Warjri GB, Somarajan B, Bandil S, Gupta V.Lasers in glaucoma.Indian J Ophthalmol.2018 Nov;66(11):1539–53. doi:10.4103/ijo.IJO_555_18American Academy of Ophthalmology.What ophthalmologists want you to know about eye color-changing drops.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Why are my eyes changing color?Updated Jan 27, 2021.
Hasani H, Es’hagi A, Rafatnia S, Aililou S, Abolmaali M.Keratopigmentation: a comprehensive review.Eye (Lond).2020 Jun;34(6):1039–1046. doi:10.1038/s41433-019-0750-2
Krishnan VM, Todorova MG, Wiechens B, Valmaggia C, Varde MA.The artificial iris – Analysis of various implantation techniques after ocular trauma.Indian J Ophthalmol. 2021;69(12):3526-3531.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.American Academy of Ophthalmology issues warning on the dangers of eye color-changing procedures.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Cosmetic iris implants carry risk of permanent eye damage, vision loss.
Karslioglu MZ, Tas AY, Kesim C, Sahin A, Muftuoglu O.Keratopigmentation: is it a miracle or an adventure?Beyoglu Eye J.2020;5(1):32–7. doi:10.14744/bej.2020.76476
D’Oria F, Abu-Mustafa SK, Alio JL.Cosmetic change of the apparent color of the eye: a review on surgical alternatives, outcomes, and complications.Ophthalmol Ther.2022 Apr;11(2):465–77. doi:10.1007/s40123-022-00458-2
Kumar H, Mansoori T, Warjri GB, Somarajan B, Bandil S, Gupta V.Lasers in glaucoma.Indian J Ophthalmol.2018 Nov;66(11):1539–53. doi:10.4103/ijo.IJO_555_18
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What ophthalmologists want you to know about eye color-changing drops.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Why are my eyes changing color?Updated Jan 27, 2021.
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