Is Keratopigmentation a non risky eye color surgery?

Assessing Eligibility and Safety of Eye Color Alteration Procedures

Not everyone is a suitable candidate for artificial iris transplant procedures. Consider the following conditions that might disqualify you:

1. Retinal Detachment: If you have experienced retinal detachment, you may not be a suitable candidate.
2. Eye Infections: Active eye infections can pose risks and may exclude you from the procedure.
3. Eye Inflammation: Ongoing eye inflammation can affect the outcome of the transplant.
4. Eye Disorders: Conditions that alter eye function, like rubella cataracts, may make you ineligible.
5. Rubeosis of the Iris: Rubeosis, or abnormal blood vessel growth in the iris, can complicate the procedure.
6. Diabetic Retinopathy: This condition may present contraindications to the transplant.
7. Glaucoma: If you suffer from glaucoma, it can impact your eligibility.
8. Previous Eye Procedures: Certain disorders may necessitate other eye procedures before considering an artificial iris transplant.
9. Missing Iris: In cases where the iris is entirely absent, the feasibility of a transplant may be limited.

Furthermore, it’s essential to emphasize that cosmetic artificial iris transplants are not recommended and often prohibited. Leading medical organizations like the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Food and Drug Administration, most European Drug Administrations, and the American Glaucoma Society do not endorse such procedures for cosmetic purposes.

Now, regarding colored contact lenses, they can pose risks when used without a prescription. These risks include:

• Corneal Abrasions: Improper use of colored lenses may lead to corneal abrasions, causing severe inflammation.
• Infections like Keratitis: Bacterial or fungal infections of the cornea, known as keratitis, can result from non-prescription colored lenses.
• Corneal Ulcers: These painful ulcers can develop from untreated infections.
• Conjunctivitis: Colored lenses used without professional guidance may cause conjunctivitis.
• Blindness (Rare): In exceptionally rare cases, complications from non-prescription lenses can lead to blindness.

As for laser beam-based procedures for eye color alteration, there are potential risks, although further research is needed to confirm them. These potential risks include:

• Uveitis: Laser treatment may lead to uveitis, an inflammation of the uvea.
• Glaucoma: Some cases have suggested a link between laser procedures and glaucoma.
• Reduced Vision: Vision impairment can be a risk associated with laser-based eye color change.
• Potential Blindness: While rare, there have been reported cases of potential blindness following these procedures.

European and United States-based ophthalmologist societies recommend that potential patients exercise caution and fully inform themselves about the various eye color alteration techniques before proceeding.

On the other hand, proponents, particularly the Stoma Company, argue that laser-based procedures are safe based on over ten years of testing. These results are typically presented in reports submitted to regulatory bodies like the FDA.

Keratopigmentation differs from surgical procedures, as it focuses on pigmentation rather than adding lenses, depigmenting the iris, or altering the iris itself. Like any surgery, it carries some risks that depend on various factors, including the clinic, surgeon, protocol, and technology used.

To ensure a safe keratopigmentation procedure, consider the following:

• Clinic Equipment: Check the quality of equipment and laser provided by the clinic.
• Surgeon’s Experience: Investigate the background and experience of the surgeon performing the procedure.
• Pigment Safety: Verify the safety of the pigments used, ensuring they are certified and medically approved.

Providing your medical history to your ophthalmologist can also assist in evaluating your eligibility and minimizing risks.

In summary, keratopigmentation is generally considered the safest eye color alteration procedure, provided you choose the right ophthalmologist, team, laser, and pigments. While no surgery is entirely without risk, diligent research and consideration of these factors can enhance the safety of the procedure.

It’s crucial to understand the historical development of eye pigmentation techniques, as keratopigmentation represents a culmination of various technologies and methods that have evolved over time to produce what is now considered a safe procedure. The use of tattoos, for instance, is an age-old practice that has contributed to the advancement of this technique.

The different criteria to get a safe eye color procedure

Understanding the Evolution of Keratopigmentation and Ensuring Safety

To appreciate the journey of keratopigmentation, also known as corneal tattooing, is to delve into a realm of discovery, experience, and science.

The origin of corneal tattooing dates back to the 170s AD when the physicist and philosopher Galen of Pergamum performed the first corneal tattoo. In 1870, oculoplastic surgeons such as Louis Von Wecker introduced the term “corneal tattooing” into medical literature.

A pivotal moment occurred in 1922 when American ophthalmologist Samuel Lewis Ziegler published his work titled “Multicolor Tattooing of Cornea,” propelling keratopigmentation into the modern era.

In the 1990s, the development of corneal tunnels for the management of keratoconus opened the door to introducing pigments into the cornea.

Spanish ophthalmologist Professor Alio, in 2001, elevated keratopigmentation by leveraging the femtosecond laser to create secure and precise tunnels. This breakthrough paved the way for therapeutic keratopigmentation, offering hope to individuals with conditions like aniridia, coloboma, traumatic iris, or albinism. No adverse events were reported in these medical cases, leading to the technique’s expansion into the realm of aesthetics.

As is often the case with innovations, this technique faced skepticism, mirroring the initial doubts surrounding other medical advancements. However, over time, millions of individuals have undergone these procedures, and they are no longer subjects of debate. Keratopigmentation is no exception.

According to 123.clinic blog the safety of Keratopigmentation has to met 4 criteria.

In 2021, a presentation by Professor Muraine at the annual congress of SAFIR demonstrated that, among various techniques, keratopigmentation performed using femtosecond laser technology had the lowest associated risks compared to other methods like laser depigmentation of the iris or iris implant placement, which can lead to complications such as glaucoma and corneal transplants.

So, how can you ascertain the safety of a keratopigmentation procedure? It’s more complex than accepting verbal assurances. A genuinely safe procedure often carries certification as a marker of its reliability. Here are the four cumulative criteria to consider:

1. Ophthalmologist’s Expertise (1/4): Ensure your ophthalmologist is board-certified and extensively trained in keratopigmentation. They should provide details about their experience, the number of surgeries performed, and the techniques and equipment used.
2. Professional Associations (2/4): Confirm if your ophthalmologist is part of a scientific association or society related to ophthalmology or eye procedures. Membership in such associations signifies knowledge sharing and adherence to industry standards.
3. Laser Technology (3/4): Your ophthalmologist should clearly explain the type of femtosecond laser used for creating channels to introduce pigments. State-of-the-art laser technology like Zeiss VisuMax 800 is preferred to older models to minimize risks.
4. Pigment Quality (4/4): The quality and stability of the pigments used are crucial. They should be certified, medical-grade pigments. Avoid ophthalmologists who use non-certified or low-quality components, including food pigments, as they can pose risks to your vision and overall comfort.

In conclusion, keratopigmentation is regarded as one of the safest procedures for changing eye color. However, ensuring its safety relies on careful selection of the ophthalmologist, their affiliations, the technology employed, and the quality of pigments used. By adhering to these criteria, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with the procedure, making it a reliable choice for eye color alteration.