Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40483374›Full record

ReviewOphthalmology and therapy2025

Surgical Techniques for Cosmetic Eye Color Change: A Narrative Review.

Francesco D'Oria, Jorge L Alio

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Ophthalmology and therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. An updated comprehensive review on keratopigmentation.International journal of ophthalmology · 2025
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Francesco D'OriaSection of Ophthalmology, Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Jorge L AlioVissum (Miranza Group), C/ Cabañal, 1, 03016, Alicante, Spain. jlalio@vissum.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8082-1751

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The desire for permanent cosmetic change of eye color has driven the development of various surgical techniques aimed at achieving this transformation, pursuing more enduring solutions. This demand has led to the emergence of three primary surgical approaches: cosmetic iris implants, laser iris depigmentation, and cosmetic keratopigmentation (KTP). Each technique presents distinct advantages, yet also entails specific limitations and potential risks. Cosmetic iris implants, originally designed for congenital or traumatic iris defects, have been repurposed for aesthetic use. However, they come with severe risks, including glaucoma, corneal endothelial cell loss, and even permanent vision impairment. As a result of these complications, they are not approved by major regulatory bodies and are widely considered unsafe. Laser iris depigmentation offers a less invasive approach, using a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser to remove melanin from the anterior iris stroma. While it provides a natural-looking result, it lacks customization and has potential complications like patchy pigmentation, photophobia, and temporary intraocular pressure spikes. Additionally, there is limited long-term data on its safety. Cosmetic KTP, an advanced version of corneal tattooing, has emerged as the safest and most effective option. It involves embedding micronized mineral pigments into the cornea, allowing for precise, customizable, and long-lasting results. Studies show high patient satisfaction and minimal risks when properly performed. Among these techniques, KTP appears to be the best choice owing to its safety and aesthetic flexibility, while cosmetic iris implants should be avoided because of their high risk of complications, and laser iris depigmentation deals with limitations in color selection and long-term reliability. While KTP currently seems the safest option for cosmetic eye color change, this is largely based on limited single-center data and should be confirmed by larger studies in the future.

Indexed as

Cosmetic iris implantsCosmetic keratopigmentationLaser iris depigmentation

Identifiers

PMID40483374
PMCPMC12271006

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.