Laser Iris Depigmentation – What You Need to Know

Apart from wearing colored contact lenses, three techniques can now be used to change eye color:

Keratopigmentation
Colored iris implants, an extremely dangerous method,
Laser iris depigmentation

This article focuses more specifically on the latter approach, also known as aesthetic or cosmetic laser iridoplasty.

The role of melanin in eye color

Eye color is determined by the iris, a thin membrane located at the front of the eye. Contrary to a common belief, blue or green eyes do not contain pigments of those colors. Their appearance actually depends on the amount of melanin present in the iris. Dark brown eyes contain a high concentration of melanin, light brown eyes somewhat less, green eyes even less, while blue eyes contain very little.

The origin of the concept of laser iris depigmentation

The idea of changing eye color by removing melanin from the iris using a laser originated with the American Gregg Homer, founder of the company Stroma Medical. His particularly appealing project consisted of designing a laser capable of removing only the melanin from the iris, without damaging other ocular structures.

The technical limitations of the Stroma Medical project

Numerous patents were filed in the early 2000s with this goal in mind. However, despite years of research and development and significant financial investment, this specific laser never came to fruition. The most likely explanation is that the laser does not only eliminate melanin; it also alters the iris collagen, which is essential for light diffusion and therefore for the blue or green appearance of the eyes.

The use of lasers not designed to change eye color

Faced with the impossibility of Stroma Medical to commercialize this innovative laser, some ophthalmologists opted to use lasers already present in their practices. These devices, however, were not designed to change eye color, but rather to treat certain types of glaucoma or specific forms of cataracts. By adjusting the parameters of these lasers, these practitioners hoped to reduce the concentration of melanin in the iris.

The international spread of the practice

The first doctor to experiment with this technique using conventional lasers was Dr. Grimaldos, an ophthalmologist at the Eyecos center in Barcelona, in the early 2010s. Subsequently, several centers specializing in iris depigmentation using conventional lasers emerged around the world (in Mexico, Egypt, Turkey…): Yeux Clairs, Iris Color Laser, Egypt-LaserEyeColor, My Lumineyes, etc.

Contrary to what some of these websites claim, no laser has been specifically designed to change eye color; all those used are instead intended to treat various ocular diseases.

Patient Profiles and the Course of Treatment

Eye color is divided into 5 grades, ranging from grade 1 for blue eyes to grade 5 for dark brown eyes. Treatment is most often intended for patients with grade 3, 4, or 5 eyes. In order to limit the risk of complications—especially the dreaded glaucoma — Doctors practicing this technique favor very gradual protocols. The treatment is thus spread over numerous sessions, spaced several weeks apart. For very dark eyes (grades 4 and 5), it is not uncommon for the procedure to extend over several months, or even several years.

Limited and Disappointing Aesthetic Results

The results may appear relatively natural, but the shade most often takes on the appearance of a dull gray, lacking vibrancy. Contrary to what some websites claim, it is impossible to choose your color and obtain shades such as green or light brown. There are Facebook groups where patients who have undergone the treatment share and compare their results. The main criticism from patients is that the color change is only really visible in intense direct light, such as bright sunlight or when a light source is shone directly into the eye. In other lighting conditions, the eyes appear dark, sometimes even darker than before the treatment.

Once again, the most likely explanation is similar to that proposed for the Stroma Medical project: by destroying melanin, the laser also damages the iris collagen, which is essential for achieving blue, green, or light brown shades. Cases of repigmentation have also been reported.

Conclusion: An Unfulfilled Promise

In conclusion, laser iris depigmentation was a promising and innovative idea, but it must be acknowledged that, to date, it has failed to deliver on its promises.