Changing your natural eye color is a big decision that should not be taken lightly. Kerato eye color change involves using colored contact lenses to permanently change your eye color over time. While popular, this procedure does come with risks and considerations. Here we’ll explore whether kerato eye color change is truly safe.
What is Kerato Eye Color Change?
Kerato eye color change uses special colored contact lenses to gradually change your natural eye color. The contacts have a pigment that gets deposited into your eyes over several months or years of continual wear. This pigment sticks to the top layer of your iris, altering the color.
It takes about 1-2 years of wearing the special contacts daily for most of the day and night. Over time, the pigment builds up enough to make a noticeable difference in your eye color – turning brown eyes blue or green for example. The contacts must continue to be worn regularly to maintain the new eye color.
What Are the Purported Benefits?
Those who choose kerato eye color change do so for cosmetic reasons. Benefits include:
- Change your natural eye color permanently
- Choose a different eye color like blue, green, hazel, grey
- No need for cosmetic eye color contacts once the change is complete
- Boost self-confidence potentially
Having a different eye color is the primary benefit and motivation. It allows you to transform your appearance and eye color to something you may prefer aesthetically over your natural born color.
What Are the Risks and Side Effects?
While promising, there are several risks and side effects to be aware of with kerato eye color change:
- Infection risk – extended contacts wear raises infection risk
- Allergic reactions – allergic reaction can occur to contacts solution
- Red or dry eyes – contacts can irritate eyes and cause redness/dryness
- Eye damage – improper contact lens wear and care can damage the cornea
- Vision changes – color contacts can slightly impair vision
- Unsatisfactory color results – color change may be subtle and not as desired
Safely and successfully changing your eye color over the long-term requires commitment and diligent care of your eyes and contact lenses. Short cutting the process can increase the risks.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Kerato Eye Color Change?
The best candidates for kerato eye color change are those who:
- Want to permanently change their eye color, not just temporarily
- Don’t have sensitive eyes or eye allergies
- Are responsible and can properly care for contact lenses daily
- Have healthy eyes and vision
- Don’t mind wearing contacts regularly long-term
- Have realistic color expectations
Those dependent on eyeglasses or who can’t tolerate contacts for extended periods tend to be poorer candidates. It’s also critical to have realistic expectations on the color results.
Choosing a Doctor for the Procedure
It’s vital to have the kerato color change procedure done by a licensed ophthalmologist (eye doctor) rather than an unqualified provider. Important factors in choosing an eye doctor include:
- Board certified ophthalmologist
- Extensive experience with kerato eye color procedures and colored contacts
- Uses high quality colored contact lenses from reputable brands
- Has before and after photos to showcase results
- Has training in properly fitting colored contacts
A less experienced doctor is more likely to improperly fit the special contacts, increasing the risks and compromising your vision. Do your research to find a seasoned kerato color change expert.
How Much Does Kerato Eye Color Change Cost?
Between the doctor’s fees, special contact lenses, and supplies, kerato eye color change averages around $1000-$2000 to achieve noticeable color change. Ongoing costs during the process include:
- Doctor visits and exams – $100-$200 per visit
- Custom colored contacts – $200-$500 for a 6 month supply
- Contact lens solution – $20-$40 per month
Since the process takes 1-2 years, you can expect to invest $1500 to $4000 or more for a permanent eye color change with kerato contact lenses.
Are Results Permanent or Temporary?
Results of kerato eye color change can be permanent but there are some caveats to understand:
- Permanent but not irreversible – stopping contact lens wear will cause color to fade over 1-2 years
- Sun exposure fades results – ultraviolet light breaks down pigment
- Colour contacts must be worn indefinitely to maintain vivid color
- Gradual lightening of color over decades as pigment fades
In essence, kerato eye color change can provide a permanent effect compared to temporary color contacts, but occasional touch up procedures may be needed over your lifetime.
Are There Non-Contact Lens Options?
Contact lenses are the only proven and safe method for gradually changing eye color. However, some other options that have been tried are:
- Laser treatment – Still experimental, high risk of permanent eye damage
- Eye drops – Unproven; likely a scam with no effect
- Eye tattooing – Extremely dangerous and can cause blindness
There are currently no non-contact lens solutions that are safe or effective for permanently changing eye color. Contact lenses remain the only viable option.
The Bottom Line on Safety
When performed properly by an experienced doctor, kerato eye color change is relatively safe but does carry short-term and long-term risks. The process requires a big commitment to continual contact lens wear and eye care. Results may not be as dramatic as some expect.
While safer than other alternatives like laser treatment or tattooing, the risks of eye infections, allergies, and other damage from long-term contact lens wear should not be taken lightly. However, many patients do successfully and safely achieve their desired eye color change when they adhere to their doctor’s instructions.
As with any elective procedure, ensure you fully understand both the benefits and substantial risks. Consult thoroughly with your ophthalmologist. Kerato contact lens color change can be done safely with the right precautions, but it warrants caution.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to change your eye color with contacts?
It takes approximately 1-2 years of continual colored contact lens wear for most of the day and night to achieve a noticeable permanent eye color change from kerato contact lenses. This allows sufficient pigment to deposit in the iris to alter the color.
Can light brown eyes turn blue with contacts?
Yes, light brown eyes can become blue over time with kerato contact lenses. However, results may be a subtle blue-green rather than vivid blue on very light brown eyes. Dark brown eyes are the most challenging to achieve a light color like blue.
Is the color change with kerato contacts reversible?
Yes, stopping contact lens wear after the eye color change will cause the pigment to fade gradually. Most patients can expect their natural born color to return in 1-2 years without wearing the special lenses regularly.
Can you get kerato eye color change under 18?
No, kerato contact lenses are only performed on patients over 18 years old. Teenagers’ eyes are still developing so permanent eye color change is not recommended.
Where can I buy colored contacts online for kerato?
It’s strongly recommended to get colored contacts for kerato eye color change only through your ophthalmologist’s office. Illegitimate online sellers may market unsafe novelty contacts not meant for permanent wear.
Conclusion
Kerato eye color change offers the possibility of permanently altering your natural eye color. But undertaking this lengthy process requires diligent contact lens care and maintenance. When done carefully under your doctor’s supervision, long-term results can be achieved safely, though risks do exist.
If you pursue this route, be selective in choosing an experienced doctor and have realistic expectations. Permanently changing your eye color is a major decision with risks and benefits to weigh carefully.
