A corneal tattoo, also referred to as keratopigmentation or corneal tattooing, is a medical procedure involving the pigmentation of the cornea—the transparent front surface of the eye—for aesthetic purposes. This technique is primarily utilized to address corneal whitening caused by trauma or other conditions, allowing the affected eye to match the appearance of the unaffected one. It is important to note that this procedure does not restore vision; its primary purpose is cosmetic enhancement.
Corneal opacities can have a profound impact on a patient’s social and psychological well-being due to the altered appearance of the eye. A common solution for such conditions involves the use of colored contact lenses. However, many individuals with corneal leukomas (whitened or damaged corneas) experience difficulty in adapting to these lenses. For patients unable to use contact lenses, surgical removal of the eye followed by prosthetic implantation is often considered.
Prosthetic surgery, while effective in certain cases, presents several complications, including infection, restricted ocular mobility, discomfort related to prosthesis maintenance, and symptoms such as pain, burning, stinging, and tearing. Moreover, removing an eye—despite its lack of visual function—can lead to significant psychological distress for many patients.
Corneal tattooing offers an alternative solution by applying pigments to the cornea’s outermost layer, thus altering the eye’s appearance. This procedure is typically reserved for non-visual eyes, aiming to improve their aesthetic appearance. The injected pigments are carefully selected to mimic the natural color of the unaffected eye, achieving a realistic and cosmetically pleasing result.
Indications for Corneal Tattooing
Corneal tattooing can be performed for both aesthetic and medical purposes:
Aesthetic Reasons:
- Addressing asymmetry caused by corneal whitening following trauma.
- Enhancing the appearance of eyes with a white or opaque appearance due to congenital conditions or diseases.
Medical Reasons:
- Managing conditions such as glare and light sensitivity (photophobia), particularly after glaucoma surgeries.
- Restoring a natural appearance to eyes that have completely lost vision.
- Concealing visual imperfections, such as spots or opacities on the cornea.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ömer Faruk Yılmaz