Eye Colour Surgery: Just Say No – Understanding the Real Dangers

One Patient’s Story: Irreversible Damage from Cosmetic Iris Implants

At OCL Vision, patient safety is our highest priority. We feel it is important to share this true account from a patient who asked us to publish her story in the hope that it will prevent others from suffering the same fate.

In 2012, the patient underwent cosmetic eye colour surgery in Turkey, performed by a company that also operates in Tunisia. The procedure involved implanting artificial iris devices to change her natural eye colour for aesthetic reasons.

Over the last two years, she has experienced recurring inflammation in both eyes, along with severe sensitivity to light and persistent redness. More recently, she developed a cataract and glaucoma in one eye—both serious conditions that now require urgent treatment. We are preparing to remove the implants from both eyes, but her vision remains reduced, and her long-term prognosis is uncertain. She may still need a corneal transplant and cataract surgery, despite the implant removal.

The Medical Risks of Cosmetic Iris Implant Surgery

The damage our patient has experienced is, unfortunately, not uncommon. Cosmetic iris implants are not approved by medical authorities such as the MHRA in the UK, the EMA in the EU or the FDA in the US. They are not recommended by manufacturers for healthy individuals. These implants were initially developed for treating medical conditions such as aniridia (absence of the iris) or trauma-related iris loss—not for cosmetic enhancement.

The use of artificial iris implants for cosmetic purposes carries significant and well-documented risks, including:

• Chronic inflammation
• Glaucoma (raised eye pressure)
• Cataracts (clouding of the eye’s natural lens)
• Endothelial cell loss (critical cells in the cornea)
• Corneal failure and swelling
• Reduced vision or blindness

In the case of our patient, both endothelial cell counts — the layer of cells essential for keeping the cornea clear — are already significantly reduced, placing her at high risk of corneal failure. Even after implant removal, there is no guarantee that the damage can be fully reversed.

The Origins of Cosmetic Eye Colour Surgery

Cosmetic iris implants were first introduced by a surgeon in Panama, but the procedure was quickly discontinued after numerous patients experienced serious complications, some of which were permanent and sight-threatening.

Despite this, similar procedures have resurfaced in Turkey and Tunisia, with companies claiming to offer a newer, supposedly safer version of the implants. However, there is currently no published medical literature or peer-reviewed evidence confirming the safety or effectiveness of these new devices. These procedures are being performed without regulatory approval, and the companies involved are not subject to the same oversight as UK or European clinics.

No Approval and No Transparency

Cosmetic iris implants are illegal in the UK. They are not approved by any regulatory bodies for non-medical use in the US, UK or EU. The manufacturers of these devices themselves state that they should only be used in cases of iris trauma or medical necessity, not for cosmetic enhancement.

This lack of approval means there are no guarantees about the training of the surgeons, the quality of the devices, or the aftercare patients receive. The situation is made worse by the lack of transparency surrounding the devices used in these surgeries. In many cases, including our patient’s, it is unclear which implant was used or what materials it contains.

Lack of Informed Consent and Legal Protection

Our patient was not warned of the potential complications that could result from this procedure. She had no idea that the outcome might include vision loss, or that irreversible damage to otherwise healthy eyes was a real possibility.

She is now considering legal action against the company. However, because the surgery was performed outside the UK and EU, it remains uncertain whether any consumer or patient protection laws will apply. Even if legal proceedings are pursued, the damage to her vision may be permanent.

This case underscores a worrying trend—patients travelling abroad for cosmetic eye surgery without receiving full, honest information about the dangers involved.

Why Cosmetic Iris Implants Are So Dangerous

The procedure for implanting a cosmetic iris involves making an incision in the cornea and inserting a coloured disc over the natural iris. This invasive operation significantly disrupts the delicate structures of the eye. Because the eye is so sensitive, even small changes can have lasting effects.

Unlike corrective surgeries such as LASIK or cataract surgery—which are backed by decades of research and regulation—cosmetic iris implants are not evidence-based. There is no reliable long-term data on their safety, and the complications observed so far have been serious.

The Safe Alternative: Coloured Contact Lenses

For individuals who wish to change their eye colour, coloured contact lenses remain the safest option. When prescribed by a qualified optometrist and used responsibly, they pose minimal risk. They are temporary, reversible, and do not require any invasive procedures.

However, it is important to follow usage guidelines carefully. Lenses should never be shared, worn for longer than advised, or purchased from unregulated sources. Even cosmetic lenses must be treated with the same care as prescription ones.

Protect Your Vision: The OCL Vision Approach

At OCL Vision, our mission is to protect and preserve sight. We provide only treatments and surgeries that are supported by rigorous scientific research, approved by regulatory authorities, and performed under the highest clinical standards.

We do not offer or endorse any form of cosmetic iris implant surgery. Our team strongly advises anyone considering such a procedure to seek a second opinion from a qualified ophthalmologist and fully understand the risks involved.

Think Twice Before Changing Your Eye Colour Permanently

Your eyes are not something to take chances with. Vision loss is often irreversible, and no aesthetic benefit is worth the potential lifelong consequences of a dangerous procedure. Cosmetic iris implant surgery is not safe, not approved, and not supported by the medical community.

We hope that by sharing this patient’s story, others will be encouraged to make informed, cautious decisions and prioritise their eye health.

If you are considering any form of eye treatment or surgery, speak with a qualified, UK-based ophthalmologist first. Your eyes are precious—look after them.

OCL Vision does not provide, recommend or promote any form of eye colour changing surgery.

Further reading

Read more about the dangers of eye colour surgery New York Times Article