What is the operation to change the color of the eyes?

Currently, medicine is developing very rapidly. Procedures that previously seemed unrealistic are now considered the norm. For example, women can increase their breasts, lips, change the shape of the nose, etc. This applies not only to plastic surgery, but also to all spheres of medicine. Not an exception and ophthalmology. The latest achievements in this field have been an operation to change the color of the eyes and laser correction of vision. Now these procedures are considered accessible to all comers, as they are held all over the world.

Why change the color of the eyes?

As you know, most people have brown eyes. This is due to the large amount of melanin found on the surface of the iris. This feature, like the color of the eyes, is laid in the period of intrauterine development and is most often inherited. In some cases there is only a small accumulation of melanin, in others - its complete absence. At the first variant color of eyes - green or amber. If melanin is absent, then because of the reflection of light, it seems that the iris has a blue color. The operation to change the color of the eye is mainly interested in the female population. This is due to the fact that the blue or green color of the iris is less common, thereby attracting attention. Nevertheless, the reason for such interference is not always discontent with your eye color. In some cases, the procedure is necessary for injuries or lack of an iris or for heterochromia.

Which method of operation is preferable?

Operation on change of color of eyes is practiced not so long ago. For the first time it was patented in 2006 by an ophthalmologist Alberto Kahn. This procedure is a microsurgical intervention and consists in the introduction of an iris implant . An alternative is laser correction of eye color. It was first conducted in the US in 2011 by Dr. Homer. In this case, only one option is possible - an operation to change the eye color from brown to blue. This means that if you want to get a dark color of the iris, laser correction will not work. Both types of surgical intervention have both advantages and disadvantages. Nevertheless, iris implantation is more preferable. This conclusion can be made for the following reasons:

1. The operation has been carried out for many years, while the long-term results of laser correction are still unknown.
2. If complications develop after microsurgical manipulation (dry eye syndrome, loss of vision, glaucoma), the implant can be removed at any time.
3. Laser correction of the color of the iris - this is forever! If the patient is unhappy with the result of the operation and wants to change the color of the eyes again, he can only be offered microsurgical intervention.

Despite this, laser iris color correction is more common, and its cost is lower than that of alternative implantation.

Technique of the operation

The process of microsurgical implantation consists of the following stages:

1. Anesthesia. Local anesthesia is most often used.
2. 4 symmetrical cuts are made.
3. A cannula is inserted in order to subsequently deploy the implant.
4. An artificial plate is placed over its own iris, painted in the required color.
5. The implant is carefully straightened using a cannula.

Laser surgery to change the color of the eyes is the destruction of melanin. As a result of irradiation, the molecular structure of this substance changes. Over time, the process extends to the entire surface of the iris, and the eyes begin to gradually "lighten up." Unlike implantation, this method is irreversible.

Postoperative period and complications

It is worth remembering that the operation to change the color of the iris has a risk of complications, as well as a very expensive cost (from 5 to 10 thousand dollars). Therefore, it is necessary to think carefully before deciding on it. Before the procedure, you should undergo a complete examination not only from the ophthalmologist, but also from other specialists (endocrinologist, cardiologist). Despite the fact that the intervention itself lasts only 15-20 minutes, after it, you must constantly see a doctor. The postoperative period takes about 2 months. During this time, you should avoid eye strain, do not look at bright lights and a computer monitor. If symptoms such as lacrimation, dry eyes, or soreness occur, you should consult a doctor immediately.

Operation to change the color of the eyes: photo before and after the procedure

Since the implantation of the iris has been carried out for several years, the results can be observed. Not only people with heterochromia, but also those who were willing to intervene were intervened. Among them - the stars of cinema and variety. Laser correction appeared relatively recently, so it has not yet become widespread. Nevertheless, several people have already been operated on changing the color of the eyes from brown to blue. Photos of these people can be seen in scientific articles on this topic or on special resources. Assess the results can not only doctors, but also all comers.

Eye color change surgery: expert reviews

Despite the fact that a large number of people are interested in the operation of changing eyes, specialists treat it with caution. This is associated with the development of complications, as well as with a small evidence base (studies have a short-term nature). To a greater extent, doctors do not recommend a laser operation, since it is impossible to change its effects. But if the patient is determined or has medical indications, experts recommend implantation of an artificial iris.