How to change your eye color PERMANENTLY. But is it safe? | Ophthalmologist @MichaelRChuaMD

Michael Chua, MD
6 Sept 202309:50
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRDr. Michael Chua, a board-certified ophthalmologist, explores various methods for changing eye color in his video. He discusses the use of colored contact lenses for a temporary change and touches on the risks of untested luxury lenses. For permanent alterations, he outlines surgical techniques like Iris implant surgery, which is not FDA-approved for cosmetic use in the U.S. due to severe complications. He also mentions safer, FDA-approved artificial iris implants used for medical purposes, such as treating aniridia. Dr. Chua then describes corneal tattooing and its cosmetic use, highlighting potential adverse effects like glare and the need for touch-ups. He addresses scleral tattooing trends and their associated risks, including severe vision loss. Laser depigmentation is another technique he covers, noting studies that show good results but also risks like severe glaucoma. Lastly, he discusses the potential of gene therapy for eye color change, which is currently in experimental stages. Dr. Chua concludes by recommending only colored contact lenses due to the risks associated with surgical procedures.

Takeaways
  • 👓 **Temporary Change with Contact Lenses**: Colored contact lenses are a safe and temporary way to change eye color, with Air Optics Colors by Alcott being a popular choice.
  • 💎 **Avoid Untested Luxe Lenses**: Real diamond and 24 karat gold contact lenses, although flashy on social media, are untested for safety and should be avoided.
  • ⚠️ **Risks of Iris Implant Surgery**: Iris implant surgery for cosmetic purposes is not approved by the FDA in the U.S. and can lead to severe eye complications.
  • 🏥 **Medical Iris Implants**: The FDA-approved artificial iris from Human Optics is designed for medical use, such as treating aniridia, and not for cosmetic color change.
  • 🌈 **Corneal Tattooing**: A procedure that involves injecting tattoo ink into the cornea for a permanent color change, but it comes with risks and is not recommended by Dr. Chua.
  • 🖥️ **Scleral Tattooing Dangers**: Tattooing the sclera (white part of the eye) has led to serious complications, including vision loss, and is not advised.
  • 🔬 **Laser Depigmentation**: A procedure using a YAG laser to remove melanin from the iris for a lighter eye color, but it has risks including severe glaucoma.
  • 🧬 **Gene Therapy**: An experimental technique that involves injecting a genetically engineered virus to change eye color, with promising results in rabbits but not yet for humans.
  • ⚖️ **Weighing Risks and Benefits**: When considering permanent eye color change, it's crucial to weigh the risks against the benefits, especially when the procedure is elective and not medically necessary.
  • 🕵️‍♂️ **Professional Advice**: It's important to consult with an eye care professional, like Dr. Michael Chua, to understand the options and implications of changing eye color.
  • 📈 **Ongoing Research**: Research into eye color change techniques is ongoing, with the aim of establishing safety and effectiveness, but for now, colored contact lenses remain the only recommended option for Dr. Chua.
Q & A

  • What are the two main categories of eye color change methods discussed by Dr. Michael Chua?

    -The two main categories of eye color change methods discussed are temporary changes, such as colored contact lenses, and permanent changes, which include surgical procedures and gene therapy.

  • Which brand of colored contact lenses does Dr. Michael Chua recommend?

    -Dr. Michael Chua recommends Air Optics Colors by Alcott as the most often prescribed colored contact lenses.

  • Why does Dr. Chua advise against using real diamond and 24 karat gold contact lenses?

    -Dr. Chua advises against using real diamond and 24 karat gold contact lenses because they have not been rigorously tested for safety.

  • What is the FDA's stance on Iris implant surgery for cosmetic purposes in the United States?

    -The FDA does not approve Iris implant surgery for cosmetic purposes in the United States.

  • What are the potential complications of Iris implant surgery?

    -Potential complications of Iris implant surgery include poor vision, inflammation, corneal swelling, increased intraocular pressure, glaucoma, and the need for corneal transplants or cataract surgery.

  • How do artificial iris implants differ from older Iris implants in terms of safety?

    -Artificial iris implants are designed to be placed behind the iris in the posterior chamber, which is a safer position that reduces the risk of implant-related complications such as corneal injury, inflammation, or glaucoma.

  • For what medical condition are artificial iris implants primarily used?

    -Artificial iris implants are primarily used to treat aniridia, a condition where patients either don't have an iris or have a significantly damaged iris.

  • What is corneal tattooing and what is its typical use?

    -Corneal tattooing is a technique where tattoo ink is injected into the cornea to permanently change its eye color. It has traditionally been used to help patients with cloudy or scarred corneas.

  • What are some of the risks associated with corneal tattooing?

    -Risks associated with corneal tattooing include glare, light sensitivity, and the possibility of requiring re-operation for color touch-ups.

  • What is scleral tattooing and why is it dangerous?

    -Scleral tattooing is a trend where tattoo ink is used to stain the sclera, or the white part of the eye. It is dangerous because there are reports of people accidentally injecting the dye into the eye, leading to inflammation, glaucoma, cataracts, and corneal failure, with potential significant loss of vision.

  • What is laser depigmentation and what are its potential side effects?

    -Laser depigmentation is a procedure that uses a YAG laser to alter the color of the iris by removing melanin pigment. Potential side effects include eye inflammation and, in severe cases, glaucoma requiring surgery.

  • What is the current status of gene therapy in changing eye color?

    -Gene therapy for changing eye color is currently in the experimental stage, having shown promise in animal studies with rabbits. It involves injecting a genetically engineered virus carrying a specific gene into the eye to target pigmented cells in the iris. However, it is not yet ready for human use.

Outlines
00:00
👓 Eye Color Change Options: Temporary vs. Permanent

Dr. Michael Chua, a board-certified ophthalmologist, introduces the topic of changing eye color. He discusses the possibility of a temporary change through colored contact lenses, specifically recommending Air Optics Colors by Alcott for their comfort and variety. He also warns against untested, expensive options like real diamond and 24 karat gold contacts. For permanent changes, he mentions surgical procedures and gene therapy as emerging methods. The doctor emphasizes the importance of following medical guidelines when using contact lenses to avoid complications.

05:00
⚠️ Risks and Considerations of Permanent Eye Color Change

Dr. Chua delves into the risks associated with permanent eye color change methods. He discusses Iris implant surgery, noting its dangers and complications, including poor vision, inflammation, and increased intraocular pressure. He strongly advises against it, citing a 2012 study that showed all patients suffered severe eye complications. He differentiates between cosmetic and medical-grade Iris implants, highlighting the safety of the latter for treating conditions like aniridia. The doctor also addresses corneal tattooing, both for medical and cosmetic purposes, and expresses concerns over its safety and long-term effects. He mentions recent trends like scleral tattooing and the associated severe complications, including vision loss. Lastly, he touches on laser depigmentation and gene therapy as methods being researched for changing eye color, with the latter showing promise in animal studies.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Colored Contact Lenses
Colored contact lenses are a non-surgical, temporary method to change the appearance of one's eye color. They are available in a variety of colors and are often prescribed by ophthalmologists. In the video, Dr. Michael Chua mentions Air Optics Colors by Alcott as a commonly prescribed brand. These lenses are important for the video's theme as they represent a safe and non-permanent option for those wanting to change their eye color.
💡Surgical Procedures
Surgical procedures refer to medical operations that are used to permanently alter the eye color. The video discusses various surgical techniques such as Iris implant surgery and corneal tattooing. These procedures are central to the video's narrative as they provide a contrast to non-surgical options and highlight the risks associated with permanent eye color change.
💡Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is an experimental technique that involves the use of genetic material to treat or prevent disease. In the context of the video, it is being studied as a potential method to permanently change eye color. This concept is significant as it represents the cutting edge of medical research and the future possibilities for altering eye color.
💡Iris Implants
Iris implants are a type of surgical procedure where a colored silicone implant is inserted over the natural iris to change eye color. The video explains that using Iris implants for cosmetic purposes is not approved by the FDA in the United States, and it warns of the serious complications associated with this method. Iris implants are a key concept as they illustrate the risks of permanent eye color change procedures.
💡Corneal Tattooing
Corneal tattooing is a procedure where tattoo ink is injected into the cornea to change its color permanently. It has been traditionally used to treat cloudy corneas but is now being offered as a cosmetic procedure. The video discusses the potential adverse effects and the author's personal stance against recommending it due to the risks. This keyword is important as it highlights the extreme measures some are willing to take for a permanent change in appearance.
💡Laser Depigmentation
Laser depigmentation is a procedure that uses a YAG laser to remove melanin pigment from the iris, resulting in a lighter eye color. The video mentions a study with generally good results but also notes cases of severe glaucoma post-procedure. This keyword is relevant as it presents another surgical option with its own set of risks and benefits.
💡Complications
Complications refer to the adverse effects or unintended consequences that can occur following a medical procedure. The video emphasizes the potential complications of permanent eye color change methods, such as poor vision, inflammation, increased intraocular pressure, and glaucoma. This keyword is central to understanding the cautionary message of the video.
💡FDA Approval
FDA approval indicates that a medical device or procedure has been reviewed and authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The video discusses the lack of FDA approval for cosmetic Iris implants and the availability of FDA-approved artificial irises for medical use. This keyword is important as it distinguishes between safe, regulated options and those that carry higher risk due to a lack of regulatory oversight.
💡Aniridia
Aniridia is a medical condition characterized by the absence or significant underdevelopment of the iris. The video mentions that artificial iris implants, while not intended for cosmetic use, are used to treat aniridia, helping to improve patients' sensitivity to light and quality of life. This keyword provides context for a legitimate medical application of iris-related surgery.
💡Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can lead to vision loss and is mentioned in the video as a potential complication of various eye color change procedures. It is a significant keyword as it represents a serious risk associated with invasive eye surgeries.
💡Cosmetic Change
Cosmetic change refers to alterations made to one's appearance for aesthetic purposes rather than medical necessity. The video discusses the desire for a cosmetic change in eye color and the different methods available. This keyword is integral to the video's theme as it frames the discussion around the motivations and risks of changing one's eye color.
Highlights

Dr. Michael Chua, a board-certified ophthalmologist, discusses various methods to change eye color.

Colored contact lenses are a temporary option for changing eye color, with Air Optics Colors by Alcott being a popular choice.

Luxury contact lenses embedded with real diamonds and gold are available but have not been tested for safety.

Iris implant surgery is a permanent method but is not approved by the FDA for cosmetic purposes in the U.S. and carries significant risks.

A study from 2012 detailed severe complications from cosmetic Iris implant surgery, including vision impairment and the need for multiple surgeries.

The Artificial Iris by Human Optics is an FDA-approved silicone implant designed for medical use, not cosmetic, to treat conditions like aniridia.

Corneal tattooing is a procedure that can change eye color permanently, but it has risks and is not recommended by Dr. Chua due to potential complications.

Scleral tattooing is a dangerous trend that has led to severe eye complications and loss of vision in some cases.

Laser depigmentation is an experimental procedure that lightens eye color but has been linked to severe glaucoma in some patients.

Gene therapy is being studied as a potential method for changing eye color, with successful results in rabbits, but is not yet ready for human use.

Dr. Chua only recommends colored contact lenses for himself due to the safety and temporary nature of the change.

All surgical procedures for changing eye color carry risks and it's important to weigh these against the benefits.

Aniridia is a condition where the iris is missing or significantly damaged, which can be debilitating due to extreme light sensitivity.

The New Color Iris implants have been associated with numerous complications, including poor vision, inflammation, and increased intraocular pressure.

Corneal tattooing, while offering a permanent color change, has a high rate of patients requiring touch-up procedures and can cause glare and light sensitivity.

The use of a YAG laser in Iris lasering can reveal the underlying iris tissue, resulting in a lighter eye color, but with risks of inflammation and glaucoma.

Gene therapy for eye color change involves targeting pigmented cells in the iris with a 'suicide gene' and has shown promise in animal studies.

Dr. Chua emphasizes the importance of considering the safety and potential complications of any procedure for changing eye color.

Transcripts

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