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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Nicola Davis Science correspondent

Eye-tattooing: experts warn about risks of colour-changing surgery

A closeup of a tattooed eye
Experts said problems can emerge in the months following eye tattooing surgery, with potential complications including vision loss and blindness. Photograph: Michael Siward/Getty Images

From butter boards to viral dances, social media has spawned a host of fads, but experts have warned against the latest trend: eye-tattooing.

The procedure, known as keratopigmentation, is a recent development and can be used for therapeutic purposes to improve the appearance of eyes. This can include for people who have been left with scars on the transparent front part of the eye, known as the cornea, as a result of infection, disease or injury, or who have aniridia, a condition where the iris has not formed properly.

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