Can LASIK Change My Eye Color?
In our culture, eye color is one of many attributes that contributes to a person’s perceived overall attractiveness. Blue eyes, specifically, tend to be a coveted trait. Those who are born with a different eye color than they desire have resorted to colored contacts for decades, and until recently, this was the only option to obtain the color they wanted.
A new laser procedure similar to LASIK, which is used to correct common refractive errors and vision disorders, has been developed that can eliminate pigment in the iris and ultimately turn brown eyes blue. This cosmetic treatment has been performed in Mexico and Puerto Rico; however, the procedure has not yet undergone clinical trial testing in the United States. After all, LASIK surgery is not designed to alter the patient’s eye color but to instead correct a patient’s vision.
Consequently, our LASIK surgeons at Eye Doctors of Washington agree with the American Academy of Ophthalmology and strongly recommend that patients wait until the safety risks of this new laser treatment can be properly determined. In the meantime, if you wish to safely change the color of your eyes, colored contacts remain a reliable and effective option.
To learn more about our LASIK technology, or to schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons, please contact us today.
