Eye Colour Changing Surgery: A Risky Procedure with Dangerous Consequences

Please note, this procedure is not offered at OCL Vision. It is an experimental procedure being tested in America, and isn’t yet approved to be safe.

The Allure of Blue Eyes – And Why People Seek to Change

Blue eyes are rare. According to World Atlas, only around 8-10% of the global population have them, making them a trait many consider desirable. Across cultures and generations, people have associated blue eyes with beauty, youth, and uniqueness. As a result, there is increasing curiosity about how to change brown eyes to blue—especially in the age of cosmetic enhancement and social media influence.

Most people who want to change their eye colour use coloured contact lenses, a temporary and non-invasive option. However, more extreme and irreversible methods have emerged, with one experimental laser treatment making headlines in recent years. Despite growing public interest, medical professionals are sounding the alarm.

What Is Laser Eye Colour Change Surgery?

An American company called Strōma Medical has developed a laser treatment that claims to permanently change brown eyes to blue. Founded in 2009, the company is based in California and is currently in early testing stages.

The procedure involves using a low-energy laser to target the melanin pigment in the iris—the part of the eye that gives it colour. The laser breaks down the pigment in the outer layers, causing the body to gradually remove it over time. As the melanin diminishes, the iris appears lighter and eventually blue.

According to Strōma Medical, the procedure takes just 20 seconds per eye and is said to be painless, with no recovery time required. However, only 37 patients worldwide have undergone the procedure—none of whom were treated in the UK. There is no formal data available on long-term outcomes or complications, and regulatory approval has not been granted in the US, UK, or Europe.

Why This Procedure Is Considered Dangerous

While the treatment may appear simple, ophthalmologists across the globe are deeply concerned about the potential risks and unknowns. The eye is an extremely delicate organ, and interfering with its structure—especially through irreversible procedures—can lead to lasting harm.

Potential Risks Include:

• Inflammation
• Ocular tissue damage
• Extreme light sensitivity
• Cataract development
• Elevated intraocular pressure
• Pigmentary glaucoma
• Permanent vision loss or blindness

One of the most serious risks is pigmentary glaucoma, a condition caused when released pigment particles block the eye’s drainage channels. This leads to increased eye pressure and, if untreated, can result in irreversible optic nerve damage.

Although Strōma Medical claims their laser uses low energy and that the pigment particles are too small to cause harm, this has not been proven in any long-term clinical studies.

Medical Experts Strongly Advise Against It

At OCL Vision, we take the health of your eyes seriously. Our Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Mr Ali Mearza, has publicly spoken out against iris colour change procedures:

“Don’t do it. The dangers outweigh the risk and eyesight is too precious to take these kinds of risks. There are no formal trials with clear safety data at present, so best to steer well clear for the time being.”

Other medical professionals have echoed this warning. Dr Kamran Riaz, Director of Refractive Surgery at the University of Chicago, has expressed “strong concerns” that the risks of the procedure significantly outweigh any cosmetic benefit. He also criticised the promotional language used on Strōma Medical’s website, calling it misleading and irresponsible.

Even Dr David Alessi, a plastic surgeon, has warned that when it comes to eyesight, “there is no room for assumptions.”

No Approval from Regulatory Bodies

The procedure is not currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, and it is not legal in the UK or across most of Europe. The company remains in a fundraising and trial phase, with only preliminary data available.

Strōma Medical's team has stated that it may take several more years before their trials are complete and before any approval could be considered. Until long-term data is available and the procedure is thoroughly reviewed by regulatory authorities, it remains unsafe and inadvisable.

Ethical Considerations Around Cosmetic Eye Surgery

Cosmetic surgery often raises ethical questions, particularly when it concerns irreversible changes to essential organs like the eyes. As one ethicist from Rush University Medical Centre pointed out, there is a significant difference between procedures done for reconstructive purposes after injury and those pursued purely for aesthetic preference.

Greg Homer, the scientist behind the laser treatment, has said that his company does not aim to promote blue eyes as superior. Yet even he admits that many patients seeking the procedure are influenced by past comments or comparisons about eye colour. While self-expression is important, it should never come at the expense of one’s health or sight.

Iris Implant Surgery: Another Unsafe Option

Another method used to permanently change eye colour is iris implant surgery, which involves inserting a coloured artificial iris into the eye. This procedure is not approved, is illegal in the UK, and is not recommended by any ophthalmologist.

Common complications include:

• Corneal damage
• Cataracts
• Infections
• Glaucoma
• Severe loss of vision
• Complete blindness

Mr Ali Mearza has removed over 10 of these implants from patients who suffered serious complications after undergoing surgery abroad. In many cases, the patient’s vision could not be fully restored. One woman appeared on national television to share how she returned from Panama almost completely blind after having the procedure.

The Safe Alternative: Coloured Contact Lenses

For those who wish to change their eye colour safely, the best option remains coloured contact lenses. When used correctly and prescribed by an optometrist, they are non-invasive, temporary, and do not pose any permanent risks to eye health.

However, it’s still important to follow hygiene protocols, never share lenses, and avoid overuse.

Your Vision Is Not Worth the Risk

At OCL Vision, we are committed to protecting your eyesight and providing only evidence-based treatments. The trend towards altering eye colour permanently is fraught with danger, misinformation, and a lack of regulatory oversight.

We do not offer or support eye colour changing surgery, and we strongly advise anyone considering it to seek guidance from a qualified ophthalmologist before taking any action.

Please remember: your vision is irreplaceable. Cosmetic trends may come and go, but damage to your eyes can be permanent. Choose safety. Choose evidence. Choose your sight.