Laser Ablation of the Iris for Eye Color Modification

The process of using lasers to change the color of the eye has been introduced in recent years with controversial results. Mainly due to vast variety in anatomical structures and many variable histological diversities of the iris, which is a very unique entity compared to other organs. The success of these procedures is dependent on the amount of pigmented cells in the stroma of the iris and the collagen content of the iris surface, as was discussed in previous chapters. There is a need for more specific equipment to identify the melanin content of each layer of iris structures, in order to be able to predict the outcome of these procedures, and the procedures are not FDA approved. Laser iris depigmentation has been used clinically for aesthetic purposes without receiving official approval or licensing. The technique can be performed in an outpatient clinic, but scientific literature and data about this treatment is very limited.