You may wonder, ‘Can LASIK surgery change eye color?’ While eye color is mostly determined by genetic factors, it can also be influenced by acquired factors. Can LASIK, along with age, diseases, medication, and specific situations where emotions fluctuate, have an impact on eye color?
The Science of Eye Color
The color of a person’s eyes is determined by the amount of melanin pigment present in the iris, the colored layer inside the eye. The color of the eyes can vary significantly by race and individual, and there can be differences between each eye.
Age
As people age, their irises, including the pupil, can also show signs of aging. There is a tendency for the color of the iris to darken slightly as melanin pigment diminishes. On the other hand, black pupils tend to lose some transparency and darken slightly with age.
For instance, black irises may become brown, brown may transition to blue, blue to green, and green may appear closer to an emerald hue. However, the color change is usually subtle and does not dramatically alter the appearance of the eyes.
Illness Or Medication
Some individuals may develop a different color in one part of the iris compared to the rest due to inflammation or disease. Chronic inflammation such as iritis occurring within the iris can lead to discoloration of the tissues over time.
Additionally, certain medications can induce changes in iris color. For instance, there have been cases where individuals who took the “Avigan,” which was used in the treatment of COVID-19, experienced a change in eye color. In December 2021, there was a case of a 20-year-old man from India with brown eyes whose eyes turned blue after taking Avigan. Specifically, the color of the cornea on the iris changed. However, this symptom was not persistent and lasted only for about a day.
Emotions
Emotions such as excitement or fear can influence the size of the pupil. Changes in pupil size can affect how eye color is perceived by an observer. However, these changes in pupil size do not induce a change in iris color; rather, they affect the area of the iris visible through the pupil. This often creates the illusion of a change in eye color.
How LASIK Works
Understanding what LASIK is can help determine its relevance to causing changes in eye color. LASIK stands for “laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis,” a surgical procedure that uses lasers to reshape the cornea, the transparent front part of the eye. This reshaping of the cornea helps the eye to focus light correctly on the retina, providing clearer vision.
LASIK surgery is generally safe, with fast recovery and effectiveness in vision correction, but it carries potential side effects. Common side effects of LASIK include dry eyes, increased sensitivity to light at night, or temporary blurriness of vision. The symptoms vary depending on the individual’s eye condition, but they will resolve within six months.
Does LASIK Change Eye Color?
The answer is no. Change in eye color is not a common side effect of LASIK surgery. Therefore, when considering LASIK surgery you don’t need to worry about a color change.
LASIK cannot provide you with a new eye color, but it can offer you clear vision for the rest of your life. For more information, contact B&VIIT Eye Center today to schedule a consultation.
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