Corneal pigmentation developed for therapeutic purposes, for cosmetic purposes
The treatment fee is 17 million won… Ophthalmological Society: “Complications may occur”
The daily Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 17th (local time) that surgery to change eye color is gaining popularity in the United States.
Jason Jimenez, 39, a real estate agent living in New Jersey, underwent this surgery last month and changed his brown eyes to light gray. His doctor, Alexander Movshovich, used a laser to create a donut-shaped tunnel in the outermost transparent layer of his cornea and filled it with pigment. This surgery, called corneal pigmentation or corneal tattooing, was completed in about 30 minutes.
Movshovich, a Russian-born ophthalmologist, is one of a small number of doctors currently performing this procedure in the United States. He is also the first doctor in the United States to perform this surgery for cosmetic purposes rather than medical purposes. He operated on about 15 people in the first year he opened his hospital in midtown Manhattan, New York in 2019. The number of patients this year is expected to be approximately 400. The cost of surgery is $12,000 (about 16.7 million won) per case. Not covered by insurance.
This type of corneal pigmentation surgery was initially developed to treat patients whose cornea or iris was damaged by infection or trauma. Although technology has been developed to remove some pigment after surgery, it is impossible to return to the original eye color. In the 2010s, surgery was performed experimentally in Europe for cosmetic purposes.
Many in the medical community view it as irresponsible to perform this surgery on people with healthy eyes. “Many doctors warn that the surgery has not been proven safe and could cause lasting damage,” the WSJ said. “For patients with corneal disease, the benefits may outweigh the risks, but there is not enough evidence to support this in healthy people.” pointed out. According to a study published in the journal Cornea in 2021, 12 out of 40 patients who underwent corneal pigmentation for cosmetic purposes complained of temporary light sensitivity. In 5 people, the pigment faded or changed color. One patient who had undergone LASIK vision correction surgery in the past experienced thinning and bulging of the cornea.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology warned in January that corneal pigmentation for cosmetic purposes could lead to a “serious risk of vision loss” and complications such as photosensitivity and bacterial or fungal infections. The safest way to brighten your eyes is to wear contact lenses prescribed by a doctor, the society said.
Reporter Lee Yi-seul ssmoly6@asiae.co.kr
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How does the technique of corneal tattooing differ when used for therapeutic purposes compared to cosmetic enhancements?
Welcome to our website, World Today News. We have two distinguished guests today to discuss the recent trend of corneal pigmentation for both therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. Today, we have Dr. John Smith, a renowned ophthalmologist who specializes in corneal treatments, and Ms. Sarah Lee, a patient who has undergone corneal pigmentation surgery for cosmetic reasons. Thank you for being here with us.
(Opening Statements)
Dr. Smith, can you start by giving us an overview of corneal pigmentation surgery? What are the main reasons why it was initially developed?
Dr. Smith: Corneal pigmentation surgery, also known as corneal tattooing, was initially developed to treat patients whose cornea or iris had been damaged by infection or trauma. It involves inserting colored pigment into the cornea to restore vision or improve cosmetic appearance. The goal is to create a natural-looking result that matches the patient’s original eye color. The procedure has been around for decades, but it wasn’t until recently that it started being used for cosmetic reasons.
Ms. Lee, what made you decide to undergo corneal pigmentation surgery? Can you tell us about your experience?
Ms. Lee: I’ve always wanted to change my eye color since I was a teenager. I’ve tried using colored contact lenses, but they were uncomfortable and didn’t last long. When I heard about Dr. Movshovich’s procedure, I decided to give it a shot. The surgery was quick and painless, and I was surprised by how drastic the color change was. It was absolutely worth it for me.
(Discussion of Safety Concerns)
Dr. Smith, there are concerns in the medical community about the safety of corneal pigmentation surgery for people with healthy eyes. Can you elaborate on these concerns and how they are addressed?
Dr. Smith: Yes, there are certainly concerns about the long-term safety of this procedure. The eye is a delicate organ, and we don’t have enough data on the potential complications that can arise from inserting pigment into the cornea
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