Surgery to change eye color in Russia

Blue-eyed people were singled out among others back in the Middle Ages. This eye color is still considered the standard. Even science does not deny that girls with blue eyes seem more attractive to men. But there are very few lucky ones. About eighty-five percent of the world's population were born with dark shades of the iris, and only two percent have blue eyes. Therefore, if a person does not like the color of his eyes, or has problems with the iris, laser correction can correct the situation.

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.

Change in eye color - ring keratopigmentation in Germany

The color of a person’s eyes depends on the amount of coloring pigment (melanin) in one of the layers of the eyeball – the iris. Until recently, the only way to change the color of your eyes with minimal risk to your eyes was to wear colored contact lenses. However, constantly removing and putting on lenses caused some inconvenience, and some people who cannot tolerate lenses or have eye diseases, such as corneal pathology, could not use them at all.

The operation of ring keratopigmentation (in other words, the introduction of pigment into an artificially created ring-shaped canal inside the cornea) made it possible to change eye color once and for all. For the first time, such an operation for cosmetic purposes was performed at the end of 2013 by Strasbourg ophthalmologists on a woman who wished to change her eye color from brown to blue. They didn't have to bleach her iris to do this. Since the cornea is located outside the iris, it was enough to perform ring keratopigmentation with a blue pigment, and the brown iris became invisible - the eyes became blue. Over the past five years, their color has not changed, and since then, cosmetic keratopigmentation has become firmly established in the practice of the best ophthalmologists who master complex microsurgical technologies. Today, regardless of the natural color of the eyes, with the help of this unique operation you can become the owner of gray, hazel, green or turquoise eyes.

However, changing eye color, that is, the cosmetic effect, is not everything, and perhaps not the main advantages of microsurgical keratopigmentation. The fact is that the iris performs not only aesthetic, but also physiological functions - it regulates the intensity of the light flux entering the eye. Therefore, any defects in the iris result in serious problems for the patient. This is not only unsightly, but is also accompanied by photophobia, flashes that interfere with comfortable visual perception, and multiple contours of objects. And all together significantly reduces the quality of life and professional opportunities.

Defects of the iris and irregular shape of the pupil can be either congenital or acquired as a result of injuries, operations to remove tumors, the formation of epithelial cysts, atrophy, and poorly performed intraocular interventions. And all these patients require correction of the appearance and functions of the iris. Previously, in such cases, tinted contact lenses were used or it was necessary to implant an artificial iris, as well as intraocular (intraocular) tinted lenses. However, these methods have significant disadvantages - involvement of the central optical zone, reduced diaphragm abilities, mismatch between the profiles of the implant and the cornea, and the risk of suture protrusion. All these shortcomings were happily avoided by the method of microsurgical ring keratopigmentation. This operation allows you to replace the lost functions of the iris and thereby eliminate vision defects without requiring:

• interventions in the central optical zone;
• manipulations on intraocular structures;
• installation of intraocular implants;
• suturing.

In some cases, such an alternative to intraocular implants is of fundamental importance. For example, implantation of an artificial iris after removal of a natural one affected by a tumor is undesirable due to injury to the surgical area and the angle of the anterior chamber of the eye.

Briefly, the scheme of microsurgical ring keratopigmentation can be presented as follows:

• perform anesthesia;
• Ultrasound pachymetry is performed - measuring the thickness of the cornea;
• determine the central optical zone with a diameter of 3-4.5 mm. By the way, the operation can be successfully performed again if, after the first intervention, the patient is bothered by residual glimpses. In such cases, the diameter of the optical zone is slightly reduced;
• Using a microsurgical diamond scalpel, radial incisions are made to a depth of no more than ½ the thickness of the cornea from the border of the central optical zone to the limbus. The number of incisions depends on the clinical situation. If the operation is performed for cosmetic purposes, two incisions are sufficient; if there are complex iris defects, their number may increase;
• The cornea is separated through incisions, forming a circular tunnel in it. Its internal and external diameters are 4.5 mm and 9.5 mm, respectively. To form a tunnel, a femtosecond laser is used - a quantum generator of ultrashort pulses lasting 1x10 -10 seconds. Moreover, two tunnels can be formed at different depths of the cornea. If the operation is performed for the aesthetic purpose of changing eye color, one tunnel is sufficient. But if the iris has gross defects, the lower tunnel of the cornea is filled with dark pigment and screens them, and the upper tunnel is filled with the pigment of the eye color the patient wishes to have;
• Using a cannula with a diameter of 0.27-0.30 mm, the formed tunnel is filled with a special pigment of a pre-selected color. It is perfectly compatible with the structures of the eye, completely biologically inert, stable, has a gel consistency and is evenly distributed in the corneal stroma;
• in the postoperative period, to prevent complications, drugs that dilate the pupil, antimicrobial agents and dexamethasone are instilled into the eyes for 2 weeks.

Our site’s specialists will recommend you ophthalmologists who have the most successful experience in microsurgical keratopigmentation operations performed to change eye color, as well as for medical reasons. To do this, fill out an application or contact a specialist via chat.

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.

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.

Laser eye color correction

Laser eye color correction is a purely cosmetic method. The procedure was developed by Greg Hommer in 2011. At the moment, such manipulation does not yet have clear contraindications, being at the stage of clinical trials.

Changing eye color with a laser is performed in several stages. The correction effect is based on two facts: a high-power light flux causes the destruction of the melanin molecule and the high drainage capacity of the venous sinus allows the denatured melanin to be completely removed.

Laser eye color changes appear after 10–14 days. The change begins with darkening of the eyes in the first minutes after laser exposure.

Information about the long-term consequences of the procedure is not currently available in the literature. Laser eye color correction has currently identified side effects:

• decreased visual acuity in the first hours after surgery;
• Photophobia or double vision may appear;
• the risk of developing closed angle glaucoma increases.

Changing eye color with laser has an irreversible effect. In addition, the laser only allows you to lighten the color of the iris to natural shades of green, gray or blue, depending on the original color of the iris.

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:

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 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