Cosmetic and laser surgeries to change eye color

Laser surgery to change eye color is a very popular procedure today. Many owners of brown irises dream of radically changing their appearance and gaining blue eyes. However, such a surgical procedure (pigment removal) is not always associated with the decision to change the shade of the visual organs.

Initially, the reasons for changing eye color with a laser were functional abnormalities of the visual system, heterochromia (when the patient has irises of different colors), and the elimination of diseases of the iris. As a rule, congenital visual defects negatively affect a person’s life; surgery helps eliminate this problem. Nowadays, surgical laser intervention has become incredibly in demand also because of the desire of many people to change their appearance and become more attractive.

Indications for surgery to change eye color

What is called eye color is the presence of melanin in the iris. The more pigment in the eyes, the darker the color. People with blue eyes have almost no melanocytes in their iris, while people with brown eyes have the largest number of them. Pigment cells are responsible for the color of hair and skin, and cause changes in melanocytes in the iris of the eye.

Other reasons for changing eye color include:

Diseases. For example, primary acquired melanosis is a disease in which a brown spot appears on the sclera of the eye.
Medicines. Sometimes eye color changes can be a side effect of medications or herbal supplements. Argyrosis is a condition in which the sclera takes on a bluish-gray color due to silver deposits in the skin.
Injury. Damage to the eye may cause permanent discoloration of the sclera or may damage the melanocytes, causing them to become larger or smaller.

Over the past few decades, new ways to cosmetically change the color of the shell have been developed. Some are temporary, but some methods include surgical approaches using implants and lasers. Vision loss is one of the biggest risks of these cosmetic procedures.

Initially, the reasons for changing the color of the shell using a laser were anomalies of the visual system:

heterochromia (irises of different colors);
albinism, lack of pigment in the choroid;
elimination of diseases of the choroid of the eye.

The iris performs both aesthetic and physiological functions. It regulates the luminous flux and its intensity. Any defect in this organ causes photophobia.

The diaphragm that separates the lens from the cornea may have a defect, either congenital or acquired. This happens after injuries, removal of tumors, epithelial cysts, atrophy. Patients with such pathologies are indicated for surgical intervention in the form of correction of the functions and appearance of the anterior part of the eyeball.

Surgery to change eye color is performed using intraocular implantation and laser surgery.

What should I do to change the color?

Use of implants

The technology involves the introduction of a silicone iris on top of its own.
K. Rosenthal proposed a technique by which you can change eye color by inserting a round plate of silicone material into the eyeball over the colored iris. There is a special hole in the pupil area. The method does not modify the eye diaphragm, and therefore the original tone can be restored in the future. Medical procedure lasting 30 minutes. performed under local anesthesia to lighten dark eyes or change the color to a blacker one. The method will be used to restore visual abilities in case of deviations, such as:

change in the shape of the pupil or movable diaphragm of the organ of vision;
heterochromia;
a different color change in one of the eyes;
reduced amount of pigment in the diaphragm of the visual organ.

However, the procedure has the following disadvantages:

the risk of developing glaucoma and cataracts increases;
possible retinal detachment;
after the procedure, a long recovery period is indicated;
implants look unnatural due to the lack of a pattern;
During surgery, infection of the mucous membranes and the development of an inflammatory process may occur.

Surgical intervention

To change color, an operation is performed that includes the following steps:

The initial stage of the procedure involves gaining access to the patient's native iris.

Under anesthesia, the cornea is peeled off to provide access to the eyeball.
A rolled silicone implant is inserted.
The material in the iris area is straightened and fixed on the sides.
The tightness of the eye is restored.

How does the laser change the color of the iris?

Since the color of the visual organs depends on the concentration of pigment, the destruction of melanin makes the irises lighter. The laser was primarily used to enhance visual abilities and treat heterochromia and cataracts, but the device is also recommended for purely cosmetic purposes. It is important to consider that if you reduce the amount of melanin, the change in color of the iris will be permanent, since the pigments are not regenerated. The technique is suitable for dark irises, but is ineffective for owners of blue eyes. Laser treatment consists of the following stages:

computer scan of the iris;
visualization of eyes of a different color that the patient will receive;
display of a specially selected video sequence for 20 seconds;
burning of pigments, which takes 1 minute, under local anesthesia;
postoperative period lasting 3-4 months.

After using laser technology, the organs of vision may be overly sensitive to light.
However, the procedure may have the following side effects:

reduce visual acuity;
increase the risk of developing glaucoma;
sharpen the reaction to light;
increase the concentration of eye fluid.

Drops to change the color of the iris

Light eyes can be turned brown through long-term use of eye medications. Doctors prescribe hormonal drops for glaucoma. The most popular are called “Latanoprost”, “Unoprost”, “Bimatoprost” and “Travoprost”, containing a substance similar in composition to prostaglandin. A change in eye color occurs after 1-2 months. Blue, green eyes turn into brown only with daily use with strict adherence to the dosages prescribed by the ophthalmologist.

Self-administration of medications is prohibited, as drops can reduce visual acuity and disrupt the nutrition of the eye. As a supplement, you can apply the substance to your eyelashes to make them grow faster. The advantage of the product is the ability to use it at home without hospital supervision from doctors. It is impossible to make the iris lighter and brighter with the help of medications, since the action of the drugs is aimed at increasing melanin.

Diet food

At home, to make the color of the iris more saturated or change the color, you can include in your diet the following products presented in the table:

Products	Effect
Mountain honey	Brown eyes become blue, blue, gray
Spinach	The appearance of a pronounced color
Fish	The appearance of a pronounced color
Nuts	The color changes to more saturated
Olive oil	Creating a soft tide
Ginger	The iris becomes darker
Chamomile	The organs of vision are given a warm tint

Color contact lenses

To improve the properties of the eyes, it is recommended to wear medical devices that have diopters that enhance visual acuity, which replace glasses.

Ophthalmic agents that change eye color can make the natural tone richer or completely change the color. Simple multi-colored lenses are placed without surgery and allow you to quickly achieve the desired effect. Thanks to them, you can get non-standard colors, for example, make purple eyes or change only one eye. Ophthalmic devices are divided into colored contact lenses and tint lenses. For costume parties, you can make the eyes red, black or with a special design. It does not take much time to learn how to use a device made of soft material. It takes a few minutes to insert into the organs of vision. The advantage is the absence of side effects, however, contact lenses must be regularly washed with disinfectants and removed at night.

What eye color can you get?

The iris is the anterior part of the uvea, composed of connective and muscle tissue, has a diameter of approximately 11–12 mm and a hole in the center called the pupil.

The iris tissue consists of 2 layers: on the inner side there is the iris pigment epithelium, which consists of cuboidal pigment cells, and on the outside there is a weaker stromal layer, consisting of fibroblasts and melanocytes.

Two types of pigment have been identified: eumelanin pigment is brown-black in color, and pheomelanin pigment is yellow-red. These pigments are formed in melanosomal organelles - melanocytes.

The main factors that determine different eye colors are the density of melanocytes located in the anterior superficial layer of the stroma and the nature of the pigments within the melanocytes. Studies have shown that blue pupils have approximately 15% less melanin than brown membranes.

Surgery to change eye color using laser correction helps a person get the color that is hidden under the layer of melanin. This procedure changes the brown color to gray-blue shades. The laser cannot change the color blue to dark because blue-eyed people have a very thin layer of melanin.

The result of the laser procedure will permanently change your eye color to blue. The implant technically does not change the color of the iris, but blocks it with another, usually lighter one. Unlike a laser procedure, implantation can cause the pupils to be unable to adapt to dark conditions, so low-light vision is sometimes lost in addition to other problems.

Laser surgery and what causes the eye to change color

After conducting a survey of brown-eyed people, it turned out that a quarter of them would not refuse to change their eye color if it were possible to change it safely. Laser correction is one of these methods.

The operation is completely painless and takes twenty to thirty seconds for each eye.

Many people who use contact lenses to change the color of their iris have found laser correction to be an excellent alternative. After all, using such lenses is impractical.

The operation was made possible by increasing doctors' knowledge of the structure of the iris. The color of the shell depends on various factors and the individual characteristics of each person. The shade is influenced by melanin contained on the outer and inner parts of the iris. People with brown eyes have a large amount of melanin pigment in their iris. And the greater its concentration, the darker the shade of the eyes. Blue-eyed people have much less melanin in the outer part of the iris.

The idea of laser color correction is to change the level of pigmentation. This is possible when using a laser beam. The laser destroys melanin in the outer layer of the iris and its concentration becomes lower. Due to the fact that the beam is of very low power, the melanin pigment disappears only from the surface, leaving the shell itself unharmed. Therefore, this procedure is not capable of damaging a person’s vision.

After surgery, the eye shade becomes darker in the first week, but after four weeks the shade becomes lighter and the eyes become blue.

The capabilities of a laser beam have been used to destroy melanin for a long time. For example, when removing skin pigment spots and freckles.

Types of operations to change eye color

There are two main approaches to changing the color of the anterior eye membrane using surgery:

Implants. Sheath implant surgery was originally developed to treat serious eye injuries and conditions such as aniridia, where the entire iris layer is missing from the eye, or coloboma, where part of the eye shell is missing. There is little evidence that iris implantation surgery as a cosmetic measure is effective or safe.
Laser surgery. This controversial procedure is still undergoing clinical trials, but was patented in 2009. In theory, a low-energy laser can remove pigment from the iris to lighten the color of the eye, usually from brown to blue. Although the side effects associated with this procedure have not been well studied, ophthalmologists have criticized the procedure for increasing the risk of developing glaucoma in potential patients.

Laser eye color change surgery is safer and more stable than intraocular implant surgery because the foreign material can distort the anatomy of the eyes and make them more open to complications in the future.

After operation

Immediately after the operation, the pigment in the iris will darken slightly, this is due precisely to the process of cell death. However, within one to three weeks the eye color will turn blue. The patient will evaluate the final result in a month. Melanin is not a regenerating pigment, so the result of the operation is irreversible - the person’s light eye color will remain forever.

Before and after surgery to change eye color

To date, this technology for surgery to change eye color is experimental. To date, no negative consequences have been identified. At the same time, opponents of the author of the technique argue that removing the pigment can cause vision problems, since during the procedure a powerful volume of light will enter the eyeball. A number of ophthalmologists believe that the removal of pigment leads to photophobia and even the effect of double vision.

Implant installation

An iris prosthesis is used to treat or alleviate cases of heterochromia, ocular albinism and other disorders of the anterior part of the eyeball, to protect against harmful sun exposure. The operation also allows you to change the color scheme for cosmetic reasons.

The operation involves adding a tiny blue, brown or light blue disc to the eye muscle. This technique has not been widely accepted due to its invasive nature and developing complications.

Preparation

Changing eye color using an implant is carried out in eye clinics.

To prepare for the operation, the doctor carries out the following activities:

Makes his eyes freeze. This will help him choose the right implant.
Recommend the use of medicated eye drops for several days before surgery.
You will be asked to stop taking certain medications and not wear contact lenses 2-3 days in advance.

How is it carried out?

During the operation, the doctor makes a small incision in the cornea and then places an artificial organ in the area where the natural iris is located.

The implant is a thin, silicon-based wafer of silicone that is needed to cover the area of the iris under the cornea, holding it in place. The procedure takes 20-25 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia.

Rehabilitation

The result has a long-term positive effect, provided postoperative measures are followed. Restoring full function of the eye takes 2 months, after which healing occurs.

The rehabilitation period also plays an important role, provided that certain recommendations are followed:

Protect your eyes from bright sunlight, and also protect your eyes from wind, dust, and infection.
Use eye drops prescribed by your doctor.
Avoid prolonged eye strain and heavy physical activity.
Do not visit the pool, solarium, or sauna until the healing period.

If the patient is not satisfied with the eye color, it can be changed by introducing another implant after the eye has completely healed.

Possible complications

Cosmetic iris implant surgery is a relatively new and controversial practice that has not yet been thoroughly studied by medical researchers. The implanted implant can behave very capriciously after surgery. Sometimes it refuses to take root, and the consequences can be serious.

Inserting a silicone strip into the eye can lead to blockage of the outflow of intraocular fluid. As a result, pressure builds up inside the eye, causing inflammation and damage to the eye structures.

Risks with implants:

Possible development	Signs
Glaucoma	The implant can increase pressure inside the eye, which can lead to damage to the optic nerve and further risk of vision loss.
Cataract	The clear lens on the eye becomes cloudy due to damage to the protein.
Uveitis	The inflammation causes redness, pain and blurred vision. Without treatment, it can lead to vision loss.
Cornea problems	Risk development includes corneal trauma, swelling and other damage.

It has been observed that the altered amount of melanin in the pupil puts the retina at additional risk of receiving an increased dose of ultraviolet radiation.

Cost of surgery in Russia and abroad

In Moscow, operations are performed to install the irido-lens diaphragm. It is prescribed for defects of the iris or its complete absence. The price of the operation depends on the examination and the type of implant, since it is made individually for each patient. The cost of the procedure is from 40 thousand rubles. for 1 eye.

Color change for cosmetic purposes is carried out abroad, in the USA and Europe. The cost of the operation is 8 thousand dollars.

Possible side effects and contraindications

Naturally, such interference does not go unnoticed by critics. Experts believe that the release of melanin naturally clogs the channels, which can lead to increased pressure in the eye. There is a risk of developing glaucoma in the future. However, such claims must be supported by long-term follow-up of patients.

A high concentration of melanin pigment protects against sunlight and ultraviolet radiation, which can damage vision, so many believe that it is better to leave the concentration that a person receives from nature. On the other hand, using colored contact lenses is also not safe. Researchers of the quality of such devices have noted repeated consumer complaints. These include pain, redness of the eyes and even blurred vision.

After conducting a series of studies, it turned out that the beauty of blue-eyed people may well be just a stereotype. However, the main value of such medical breakthroughs is that today it is possible to perform operations that a decade ago people considered bordering on science fiction.

The contraindications are as follows:

the patient has diabetes;
problems with the cardiovascular system;
pressure inside the eyes.

Doctors also prohibit people who have relatives suffering from glaucoma and people under twenty-one years from doing this procedure.

Laser correction

The operation to change eye color is carried out using the VipEye laser, using the latest 8G technology. The idea behind laser color correction is to change the level of pigmentation. This is done by removing melanin—the pigment that affects eye color—from the surface of the iris, which then allows light to penetrate and be scattered into the stroma, the fibers visible in light-colored eyes.

The effect is similar to Rayleigh scattering, in which wavelengths of sunlight strike much smaller molecules in the air and then scatter, causing the atmosphere to appear blue. This explains the blue color of the sky.

During the procedure, a laser is used to raise and lower the temperature of the anterior pigment of the iris by a total of 15 times over 30 seconds.

The photothermolysis process initiated by laser treatment stimulates the anterior iris pigment, and cytokine and macrophage responses to treatment result in pigment removal through the vasculature, exposing the underlying gray stromal fibers of the iris.

Depending on the amount of pigment removed, when light hits the stromal fibers, a shade of blue, green, or hazel is reflected, giving the eye a blue, green, or hazel hue.

Using a low-power laser beam, melanin is absorbed from the outer layer of the iris, causing its destruction. At the same time, its concentration decreases, and the shell itself remains intact. After the operation, the color of the iris darkens, but after 4 weeks the membrane lightens, and the eyes become gray or blue.

Although the procedure itself only takes about 20 seconds, blue eyes do not appear for several weeks because the body can only gradually release the pigment. The laser only changes the iris and does not penetrate other parts of the eye where the nerves that affect vision are located.

The beam destroys the dark pigment of the iris to reveal the blue pigment hidden inside it. A modern device is capable of creating only blue shades from brown eyes.

Preparation

No special preparation is required from the patient for the operation. But following some simple steps will ensure that the eyes are in optimal condition for the procedure and that it can be performed as efficiently as possible.

If the patient wears contact lenses, they will be asked to stop using them 1 week before the procedure. This is because contact lenses can cause changes in the shape of the cornea, making it difficult to accurately assess the iris.
It is recommended to remove any eye makeup, including mascara, eyeliner and eye shadow. In the days following laser surgery, you should avoid wearing makeup around the eyes.
You may need 4 days off from work before surgery and up to 14 days after.
Avoid drinking alcohol 24 hours before and 48 hours after surgery, as this leads to dehydration of the eyes.

In any case, you should obtain a diagnosis from an ophthalmologist before surgery. He should confirm that the patient does not have vision problems, such as high fluid pressure, indicating potential glaucoma. To do this, a computer scan of the eyes is performed, which will additionally determine the location of the laser beam.

How is it carried out?

After 7 sessions with VipEyeLaser, your eye color slowly becomes lighter. The final result will appear in 6 months. The procedure uses a low-intensity laser that works on the iris for 20 seconds.

It destroys the stroma, or small fibers in the iris that absorb light. Once the layer is destroyed, the body will naturally remove it. The procedure is short, but the body takes several weeks to process and remove the damaged tissue.

Rehabilitation

Following laser surgery, precautions should be taken to prevent injury or infection:

Do not shower or wash your hair until the next day.
Avoid getting shower water or hair wash into your eyes for the first few days after surgery.
Avoid getting soap in your eyes, and make sure that hairspray and, for men, shaving cream do not get into the cornea.
Do not rub your eyes for several days (up to 1 month).
Use all eye drops, including artificial tears, that are prescribed by your doctor.
Do not drive until your eyes are comfortable.
Avoid visiting the pool, sauna and swimming in open water for at least 3 weeks.
Avoid eye makeup for a week
Do not dye your hair for 10 days.
Do not do any strength training for 2 days.
Avoid dirty and dusty environments for 7 days.

Bright sun can cause scarring, so you should wear sunglasses on bright days for at least a year.

Possible complications

One of their main concerns is that the laser procedure releases the melanin pigment inside the eye. Laser surgery sometimes stimulates a mild inflammatory response, leading to the development of cells called macrophages that process and remove iridescent pigment.

Many in the ophthalmology community are concerned that this process can interfere with the natural drainage of fluid from the eye, blocking the organ's drainage channels, which can increase eye pressure. Over time, this can lead to the development of glaucoma.

Cosmetic procedures that change the color of a person's eyes from brown to blue are carried out in ophthalmological clinics in Europe and America. The American Academy of Ophthalmology, the world's largest association of eye doctors and surgeons, warns consumers that the procedure has not yet been fully clinically tested to determine any potential risks.

Some ophthalmologists have expressed concern that pigment molecules accumulating in the eye could potentially cause glaucoma, eye inflammation, or uveitis.

Cost of surgery in Russia and abroad

The cost of color change varies among different surgical clinics, depending on the equipment and medical personnel who perform the operations. Some clinics offer a lifetime guarantee, which means they will provide any other post-op services free of charge. In such clinics the cost is much higher than in others.

Some clinics offer free consultations to their clients, while others charge a fee.

Types of laser procedures:

Standard Lasik. This is a traditional procedure and can cost up to $3,500 for both eyes.
This surgery using a wavelength excimer laser costs 800 euros for both eyes.
This procedure has the highest cost, which exceeds $5,000, because a femtosecond laser with ultra-short pulses is used. This process uses both traditional and wave technologies.

The cost of re-treatment sessions differs in different clinics.

Domestic ophthalmologists are wary of performing surgery to change eye color. Many doctors believe that melanin in the eyes has a certain value and its reduction can lead to excessive penetration of light waves, causing vision to change.

Proponents of the laser method argue that the iris is only slightly damaged, and this will not lead to serious changes. The choice is up to the patients.

Author: Belyaeva Anna