Colored Contacts or Keratopigmentation: Which to Choose?

When asking the question “What is the safest way to change eye color?”, the spontaneous answer is almost always the same: “Colored contact lenses, obviously!” This opinion is also shared by the majority of ophthalmologists..

But what do science, statistics, and recent studies really say about this topic?

A publication that appeared in Ophthalmology Times Europe brings new elements that deserve closer attention.

Colored contact lenses appeared in the 1990s. They allowed millions of people to temporarily change the color of their eyes. They are easy to find, simple to use, and are often worn without any medical supervision.

But… they also carry risks.

The most serious issue, well documented in the scientific literature and relayed in the press, is the risk of corneal infection. These infections can be severe and, in some cases, lead to irreversible vision loss.

In other words, their safety does not always match their popularity.

In addition to colored contact lenses, three other techniques exist to alter the appearance of the iris:

• Colored implants,
• Laser depigmentation of the iris,
• Keratopigmentation

The latter is now considered, by far, the safest of the 3 techniques. Invented by Dr. Francis Ferrari , the first keratopigmentation procedure took place in 2013. The principle: a femtosecond laser creates a circular tunnel in the cornea. A mineral pigment, specifically designed to be biocompatible, is then deposited in this tunnel (pigments).

The result is stable, long-lasting, and does not alter the inside of the eye, which explains much of its safety.

The study published in Ophthalmology Times Europe followed two groups of 2000 people for 5 years.

a. "Colored contact lenses" group

• 2000 people, regular wearers of colored contact lenses
• Follow-up: 5 years
• Result: 160 corneal infections, some of which carry a risk of blindness

b. "Keratopigmentation" group

• 2000 patients operated on
• Follow-up: 5 years
• Result: no infections recorded

The numbers speak for themselves.

After 12 years of experience with keratopigmentation, no serious late complications have been observed. Of course, as with any medical procedure, a theoretical risk always exists. But year after year, this risk appears to be increasingly minimal.

By contrast, the study now clearly demonstrates that the risk of infection is significantly higher with colored contact lenses than with keratopigmentation

Thus, contrary to a widely held belief keratopigmentation now appears to be the safest solution for permanently changing eye color.