People Are Getting Their Eyeballs Tattooed

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An unusual cosmetic surgery procedure that involves permanently changing the color of your eyes using tattoos is soaring in popularity.

The Procedure Explained

The technique, known as keratopigmentation or corneal tattooing, involves creating a donut-shaped tunnel in the cornea. Surgeons then expand the tunnel and inject a specialized dye that instantly and permanently alters the eye’s color.

From Medical Treatment to Cosmetic Trend

Originally developed to address cosmetic disfigurement caused by injury or disease, the method can also reduce glare after corneal damage, as reported by The Guardian. European doctors began offering the injections for purely aesthetic reasons in 2026.

“I see it as an enhancement,” New Jersey resident Jason Jimenez, who underwent the procedure, told the Wall Street Journal. “People get their teeth done, they get implants and Botox. If it’s something that could make you happier, make you look better — then why not?”

Regulatory Status and Workarounds

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved keratopigmentation for use in the United States. Nevertheless, some surgeons perform the procedure by using vision-correction lasers off-label and sourcing dyes from overseas suppliers where the products are certified, according to the WSJ.

Warnings from Medical Experts

Earlier this year, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) issued a public warning about the risks of eye color-changing surgeries, including damage to the cornea that can lead to cloudiness and leakage of the dye into the eye. Other patients have reported increased sensitivity to light.

“No surgery is free of risk,” said AAO clinical spokesperson JoAnn Giaconi. “With purely cosmetic surgeries on the eye, it’s just not worth the risk when it comes to your good vision.”

The AAO recommends that anyone seeking to change their eye color consider far less invasive options, such as colored contact lenses.

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