Having naturally colored eyes that stand out is something many people desire. While eye color is genetic, some wonder if there are ways to enhance or change their natural eye color. This article will examine the various methods people attempt to dye or change their eye color and evaluate the safety and effectiveness of these approaches.
Using Contacts
One of the easiest and safest ways to change your eye appearance is through colored contact lenses. Contact lenses sit directly on the surface of the eye and can make light eyes look darker or dark eyes look lighter. Contact lenses come in many colors like blue, green, hazel, and even more exotic shades like violet or red.
Colored contacts are only a cosmetic change – they do not permanently alter the color of the iris or pigmentation. They must be worn regularly to maintain the color change. Contact lenses have some health risks like infection, but when worn properly and cared for, are largely safe. They are affordable and reversible.
Laser Eye Surgery
Laser surgery is sometimes marketed as being able to lighten dark colored eyes by targeting and breaking up pigment. However, there is no laser procedure that can actually change the natural color of the iris permanently. The iris contains melanin which gives eyes their color, and melanin cannot be removed by lasers without damaging the eye.
Some lasers claim to “whiten” the sclera or white part of the eyes making the iris look different by contrast. However, these procedures carry risks like permanent dry eye or cataracts and have mixed results in actually changing appearance meaningfully. For these reasons, ophthalmologists do not recommend laser surgery for purely cosmetic eye color change.
Iris Implants
Iris implants are a surgical procedure where a colored silicone or acrylic iris is placed over the natural iris through a surgical incision. This can permanently change the eye color by overlaying the natural color with an artificial implant.
However, iris implants have many risks and complications:
- Loss of vision or blindness if the implant dislocates and covers the pupil
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Iris atrophy or shrinking of the natural iris over time
- Secondary glaucoma
- Loss of natural iris muscle control
Due to the high chance of serious side effects, the American Academy of Ophthalmology strongly advises against iris implants for purely cosmetic reasons as they provide little benefit compared to contacts and carry substantial risks of harming vision.
Home Remedies
Some people try to change their iris color using homemade or natural products like:
- Honey water eye drops
- Baking soda and water
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Lemon juice
- Sodium chloride
There is no scientific evidence that any home remedies can permanently alter natural iris pigmentation. Many of these substances can be highly irritating to the eye and damage the cornea or conjunctiva.
Eye Drops
Several eye drop products claim to permanently change eye color without surgery. The two main types are:
- Prostaglandin analogs – These prescription eye drops are used to treat glaucoma since they lower eye pressure. They can also potentially lighten eye color by removing melanin pigments. However, these also have risks like itchy eyes, change in eyelash length and color, and darker colored skin around the eyes.
- Melanin inhibitors – Over-the-counter eye drops that claim to contain chemicals that reduce melanin production to lighten iris color over weeks. However, there is no research proving their effectiveness or safety. Most contain undisclosed ingredients.
Before trying any medicinal eye drops to change color, patients should consult an ophthalmologist to understand risks and realistic outcomes. There currently are no eye drops officially approved for cosmetic lightening of eye color.
Dietary Supplements
Some sources claim taking certain vitamins or supplements can alter melanin formation to affect iris color over time. Two commonly discussed are:
- Vitamin B3 (niacin) – Large doses may disrupt melanin production leading to less pigmentation. However, this is not proven and high amounts of niacin can be toxic.
- Yellow carotenoids – Found naturally in foods like carrots. Thought to deposit in fattier eye tissues and potentially cause lighter eye color. But this is theoretical and not scientifically validated.
While supplements may improve overall eye health, there are no vitamins or supplements with definitive effects of permanently changing the natural color of the eyes. Nutrition has little influence on genetically-determined iris pigments.
Tattooing
Iris or scleral tattooing involves injecting colored pigments directly into the eye to stain the tissues. This is an extremely risky procedure with many side effects:
- Loss of vision
- Infection
- Severe inflammation and pain
- Potential loss of the eye
The American Academy of Ophthalmology strongly discourages any tattooing procedures designed to change eye color due to their dangers and lack of benefits.
Conclusion
In summary, while many methods claim to be able to alter the natural color of the eyes, options like laser surgery, home remedies, eye drops or dietary supplements are not proven or safe for this cosmetic purpose. Colored contacts or cosmetic lenses are the only currently viable way to safely change eye color temporarily. For some, permanent methods like risky iris fillers or tattooing may be considered, but can lead to permanent damage or loss of vision.
Consulting an ophthalmologist is important before attempting any cosmetic intervention to change eye color. While lightening or darkening the eyes may seem desirable, it does carry real risks that require professional medical evaluation.
Eye Color Facts
Here are some additional facts about natural eye colors and genetics:
- Eye color is determined by genetics and melanin levels – usually established at birth
- Lighter eyes have less melanin, darker eyes have more melanin deposits
- Blue eyes contain no melanin, green and hazel eyes have moderate amounts
- Brown eyes contain large amounts of melanin
- Iris pigmentation can also influence eye sensitivity to sunlight
- There are no natural red or purple eye colors – these appear due to albinism or physical conditions
- Eye color can appear to change shades through childhood as melanin levels shift
- Trauma, some diseases, and aging can affect melanin and cause changes in eye color pigmentation over time
- No single gene determines eye color. Multiple genes influence pigmentation and expression of traits
Population Statistics on Eye Color
The most common eye colors globally are brown, blue, and hazel. Green eyes are rarer. Here is approximate data on eye color rarity from population studies:
| Eye Color | Global Population |
| Brown | 79% |
| Blue | 8-10% |
| Hazel | 8-10% |
| Grey | 1-2% |
| Green | 2% |
Regionally, frequencies vary significantly based on ethnic groups concentrated in different geographic areas:
- Brown eyes most prevalent in Asia and Africa
- Blue eyes most common in northern European groups
- Hazel, amber, and gray eyes more seen in Eastern Europe and Southern Europe
- Green eyes most common in Nordic populations
- Multicolored eyes more frequent in Western Europe
Eye Color and Health
While eye color is mostly genetic, some diseases and conditions can alter coloration or appearance. These include:
- Cataracts – Can cause eyes or lenses to darken over time
- Horner’s Syndrome – Results in uneven coloration between eyes
- Pigment Dispersion Syndrome – Causes eye color to darken gradually
- Albinism – Associated with extremely light eye colors and vision problems
- Heterochromia – Having two different eye colors, either congenital or from injury
- Iris atrophy – Gradual loss of the iris’ pigment over time
Eye color can also indicate potential health risks. For example:
- Light colored eyes more vulnerable to sunlight damage
- Brown eyes may have higher risk for macular degeneration
- Hazel and brown eyes more prone to uveal melanoma
Consult a doctor if you notice any sudden changes or differences in pupil size, shape, or color which could indicate an underlying medical condition.
Cosmetic Contacts Best for Eye Color Change
While it may be tempting to use alternative methods to alter natural eye color, products like colored contact lenses are the only proven safe, temporary option. Consult an ophthalmologist before attempting any method of changing eye color to better understand potential risks and outcomes.
Embrace your beautiful natural eyes, but utilize contacts if you wish them to stand out with a different shade. Stay informed and prioritize eye health over any risky, needless procedures.
