(InvestigateTV) — Some people are getting surgery to permanently change the color of their eyes, but doctors warn these procedures carry serious dangers and are not approved by the federal government for cosmetic reasons alone.
Dr. Emilio Justo, a board-certified ophthalmologist at Arizona Eye Institute & Cosmetic Laser Center, said none of the procedures are FDA approved.
“People are going outside the country to change their eye color, believe it or not,” Justo said. “It’s important to realize none of these procedures, zero, are FDA approved.”
Three procedures can change eye color
Justo said there are three different procedures that can change eye color.
One uses a laser to burn away brown pigment.
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“When you’re lasering the iris, you are creating this pigment dispersion that can lead to chronic uveitis, inflammation, glaucoma,” Justo said.
Another is called keratopigmentation, which involves injecting dye into the eye.
A third option is iris implants.
“An iris implant is basically a silicone disk that’s inserted inside the eye,” Justo said. “These are used under FDA approval under certain congenital, birth related medical conditions.”
Justo said the procedures are approved for people born with congenital defects where part of the iris has not developed.
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“The risk benefit, it may be worthwhile doing an iris implant just to improve their vision and all their visual function,” he said.
But the risk does not make sense for someone with a healthy eye, Justo said.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology issued a warning about the procedures for cosmetic reasons. The organization does not recommend doing any of these procedures because of the potential for serious side effects that can in some cases be permanent.
“The eye is a very sensitive organ and why take unnecessary risks?” Justo said.
Colored contacts are lower-risk alternative
If you want a different eye color, the lower-risk alternative is colored contacts.
Doctors warn to make sure you get a prescription through an optometrist.
They say you don’t want to buy costume lenses or knock-offs because poor fitting lenses can scratch your eye or cause infections that can also lead to blindness.
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