Cosmetic Eye Fashion – Eye Tattoos and Eye Jewelry

Here is an interesting blog from Visionary Eyecare:

OK…now we’ve seen some interesting things as optometrists…but, this stuff really takes the cake!
Eyeball Jewelry and Eyeball Tattoos….now we’ve seen everything!
These cosmetic eye fashion procedures take the phrase “Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder” to a completely new level….
Apparently, there is a company called JewelEye that makes cosmetic 3.5mm eye jewelry platinum implants in the shape of a heart or a half moon. The implant is inserted beneath the conjunctiva (which is the “skin” that covers the white of the eye) yet, on top of the sclera (which is the “white” of the eye).

WARNING THE VIDEO BELOW IS VERY GRAPHIC – EYE SURGICAL PROCEDURE

Although Dutch eye surgeons at the Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery perform this 15 minute patented procedure (they say that they actually have a waiting list), in 2004 the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) spoke out against this type of cosmetic implant. An AAO member stated that these implants may cause scar tissue or allow bacteria to get under the conjunctiva which could erode the sclera (the white of the eye) or cause other vision threatening infections. The AAO commented that if these problems occurred – then it could become very difficult to remove the implant.
Another problem is that the conjunctiva is loosely attached to the sclera – so by placing an implant under the conjunctiva…in time, the implant may move around and not stay in place. This could irritate the patient’s eye and possibly cause vision problems.

And another cosmetic eye procedure is the Eyeball Tattoo. Much like the JewelEye implant…the tattoo ink is inserted bewteen the sclera and the conjunctiva (the white of the eye and the skin that covers it) with a needle.

(Warning: Graphic Photos) CLICK HERE

This procedure looks like it is being done in a tattoo parlor – which is a not a sterile operating room. The risk of infection is very high – which can lead to visual impairment.
Also, a needle being used that close to an eye in a surgically untrained hand can be very dangerous. One slip and the needle could scratch the front of the eye (the cornea). Worse yet, the needle could penetrate the eye – causing a retinal detachment which is vision threatening OR it could cause an infection inside the eye – which could lead to loss of the eye.

WARNING – THE VIDEOS BELOW ARE VERY GRAPHIC!!

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Again, most eye doctors would advise NOT to have this procedure done - the multitude of RISKS FAR OUTWEIGH any positive cosmetic benefit.