Undergoing a swift surgical intervention might permanently alter your eye color, yet specialists issue a disclaimer, emphasizing potential perils involved.
Multicolored lenses were fine, but once he began exploring alternative possibilities, he came across a kind of surgery that could permanently lighten his eye color.
A few years back, when he shared this news with his family, they were taken aback. “They warned me it was too risky, since you only get one pair of eyes,” Titus stated.
Color contact lenses, which cover the colored part of the eye with a tinted lens, have been in use for aesthetic purposes since the 1940s – there's even rumors that myopic Marilyn Monroe might have worn them – but permanent color change surgery is a more recent trend. This has been popular in parts of Europe for about a decade, but gained traction in the US in the last few years after individuals shared their stunning color transformations on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Procedures like iris implants have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for individuals missing part or all of their iris, but none are approved for cosmetic purposes. In January, the American Academy of Ophthalmology issued a warning about the potential risks of vision loss and complications with two eye color change procedures: iris implants and the one Titus underwent, called keratopigmentation.
However, Titus, looking at his now-pale blue-gray eyes in the mirror, expresses gratitude for the surgery.
“I love the outcome. Every morning when I wake up, it's much easier for me,” he said.
A person's eye color originates from the iris, the colored ring that shows through the clear cornea. With keratopigmentation, a surgeon creates space in the cornea using a needle or laser, then injects pigment into the cornea to conceal the original iris color. The procedure is not reversible, but the color can be adjusted if a patient wants a different shade. Some doctors suggest the color may fade over time and a touch-up may be necessary.
Titus's surgeon, Dr. Alexander Movshovich, developed a surgical instrument that makes a tiny channel in the cornea for the injection.
The process is like an eye tattoo, but unlike an artist making multiple channels in the skin to insert pigment, this procedure only requires one or two tiny openings.
Pigment might leak out with a tattoo, but not with this procedure, according to Movshovich, as he seals the channels.
“It's in a secluded space,” he said.
The procedure can cost around $12,000, as it is a cosmetic one and not covered by insurance.
‘More like an art form’
Movshovich, whose New York clinic also provides regular ophthalmological procedures like LASIK, cataract surgeries, and retinal repairs, admits he had initial doubts about the safety of these procedures.
About a decade ago, when a French friend informed him about the surgical approach, he was skeptical.
“I said, ‘It's impossible, you can't do it,’ ” Movshovich said.
At the time, the only permanent eye color change options required a doctor to implant a prosthetic iris over the original or to use a laser to destroy pigment cells in the iris to lighten its color.
Any surgery carries infection risk, but these procedures can also lead to cornea damage and potential vision loss, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
“Both of those procedures were a definite no for me,” Movshovich said.
When he learned about keratopigmentation, he wanted to delve deeper. Movshovich traveled to France to observe several surgeries and found the procedure intriguing, as it appealed to his photographic and artistic interests.
“I’m a photographer too, and part of this is essentially art,” he said.
Reva Stout with her new eye color. ## A choice to stand out
In January, when the American Academy of Ophthalmology issued a warning against cosmetic eye color change procedures, Dr. Ashley Brissette said, its concerns included dye leakage, allergic reactions to the dye, and the potential risk of infection. Other concerns include light sensitivity and cornea damage that can result in cloudiness or vision loss.
“Anything associated with the eyes, we need to be extremely cautious, and we want people to be aware of all the information so they can make a decision that is right for them,” said Brissette, a spokesperson for the organization and an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York Presbyterian Hospital. “Fundamentally, it was just to outline the risks related to these cosmetic procedures.”
A small 2023 study in France discovered that most participants reported pain and dry eye post-surgery, along with glare and a tingling sensation. However, symptoms subsided within two days for most people. A few individuals reported prolonged pain and tingling, but most were highly satisfied with the procedure.
Movshovich maintains he is as meticulous with keratopigmentation as with any surgery, paying special attention to minimizing infection risk. No patients have reported serious complications related to the procedure.
“The possibility of a general infection is minimal due to lack of exposure to the air, and it’s performed in sterile conditions since it’s a surgical procedure,” he said.
He employs medical-grade pigment, customizing it for each patient based on in-depth consultations.
The consultations are fascinating, he said, as he gets to understand what motivates individuals with healthy eyes to opt for surgery.
Some individuals express feelings of not fitting their naturally assigned eye color and yearn for a change. Approximately 5% to 10% of these individuals believe those with green or blue eyes possess an advantage in business, creativity, or even luck. Others seek a cosmetic transformation to differentiate themselves.
Statistically, only around 15% to 18% of the global population are blessed with blue or green eyes.
'I feel like myself'
Since her seventh-grade days, Reva Stout has dreamt of altering her dark brown peepers to sport a new look. At 49, this Navy veteran embarked on a voyage to switch her hue, having tried various contact lenses, including a captivating purple pair, yet grew tired of the hassle.
Upon consulting the staff at Movshovich's office regarding safety and effectiveness, Stout, residing in Atlanta, ventured to New York.
"People thought I was crazy. They'd exclaim, 'Oh, my God, why would you do that? You'll go blind!'" Stout shared. "Others exhibited far more concern than I did."
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The procedure to lighten her brown eyes took a mere 27 minutes.
"I felt no pain," Stout mentioned. "It was absolutely effortless."
She consumed antibiotics to ward off infection and sported sunglasses for a few days post-procedure, but then her focus shifted until she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her satisfaction remained unchanged even when she returned for a color fine-tuning to achieve a more natural appearance. "I'm thrilled with this shade now."
Titus revels in his experience, albeit grappling with the driver's license office's inquiry about eye color alteration's legitimacy. "But beyond that, I've been content with the results and haven't faced any complications."
"Now, with my new color, I simply feel like myself."
After the warning from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Titus remained grateful for his surgery, stating, "I love the outcome. Every morning when I wake up, it's much easier for me."
Furthermore, Titus's experience led him to believe that the procedure had positive impacts on his health, as he mentioned, "With my new color, I simply feel like myself."
