From tattooing to the shaving of heads, many a fashion and beauty trend comes about because of a powerful desire to change appearance. Color-changing eye drops are one of the latest finds on most social media and online shopping sites. These colorful products claim to tint the eye in what seems to be a quick and effortless way to flaunt a startling new appearance. Before rushing to the drugstore for a solution, a more burning question comes in mind: Are these color-changing eye drops safe?
Drag of Color-Changing Drops
Color-changing eye drops surely seem alluring; the gorgeous color of the eye is one of the first features of somebody that gets noticed-especially by those who feel their color is special. There are motivations for many-a celebrity eye color reference-and adding the lure of innovativeness to the excitement of being color-shifting with your eyes. Social media influencers and other online ads glorify color-changing fun. But does something ugly fester behind those ever-so-enchanting drops?
Dangers Behind Color-Changing Eye Drops
The eye drops are attractive due to color change but are more harmful than good in reality. The AAO has issued a serious advisory against the use of these drops due to the real risk they pose to causing eye damage and in some cases blindness.
Another concerning fact is that these drops are not FDA-approved, and therefore have never been subject to the rigorous testing for safety and efficacy by which approved drugs are judged. Thus, these drops remain for the most part unregulated with little oversight regarding their actual manufacture. So there is really no way of knowing what these bottles really contain and therefore the consumer opens him or herself to the risk of untoward side effects.
Do Color-Changing Eye Drops Actually Work?
The manufacturers claim color-changing eye drops change the levels of melanin present in the iris (i.e., the colored part of the eye). They allege these drops change the pigment in the iris, thus bringing a change in eye color. These drops are said to change the pigment in the iris, thus producing a color change in the eye. According to the product descriptions, the users should begin to notice some changes within a few hours, which may last for several days or longer. Some manufacturers claim that in order to maintain these results, the application of drops should be continued.
However, therein lies the big hitch: There is no credible scientific evidence to assume eye drops can at all modify the pigmentation of the iris. According to Dr. Michael Boland—an ocular consultant of great repute and an expert in treating glaucoma—none of the known descriptions or mechanisms are able to explain how these drops might achieve the effect they claim. The substances used may sound well known—either those usually described in other eye drops or in cosmetics—but none of them really have a scientific basis for changing your eye color.
In conclusion, therefore, comparatively very few could stand in support of the claims of these companies.
The Unregulated Eye Drops Present Abysmal Risks
You may be thinking, “What can a few drops do to you? They can be used for fun!” However, plenty of risks are associated with the use of these unregulated experimental products. The AAO lists an assortment of risks about using color-enhancing eye drops:
Inflammation: Foreign materials in the eye can irritate and inflame the structures of the eye.
Infection: Poorly tested or poorly manufactured eye drops may introduce pathogens or chemicals into the eye that cause infections.
Light Sensitivity: Certain ingredients in unregulated eye drops can induce light sensitivity, which can be disabling and hinder visibility in bright settings.
Increased Eye Pressure: Some ingredients in these drops could raise the eye pressure and in turn put a person at risk for conditions like glaucoma.
Permanent Eye Damage: The most serious of all risks is if the above-mentioned chemicals can hurt your eye permanently. Damage to the cornea (i.e., clear protection for the eye visible in front) will put you permanently at risk for losing your eyesight.
These potential risks give you a fair idea of how cautious one should be when considering any unregulated products that have not gone through the right safety testing. These were the real products since you never knew what they contained. Hence, they were manufactured, and their ingredients may vary in reactivity with the tender tissues of your eyes.
How Can You Safely Change Your Eye Color?
Besides colored contact lenses, options to contest the change of eye color have been considered, but the mentioned method is safer and more reliable than most. Ever since colored contact lenses were given FDA approval as an eye-color chang, the safety risks are very little. If the lenses are cared for properly and worn with a professional’s guidance, then they make a fun way of experimenting with one’s looks.
There are, however, some safety factors to know when it comes to contact lenses. Dr. Boland urges colored contacts to be bought only when professionally prescribed and dispensed. Don’t be tempted to buy from uncontrolled online sources; these could be unregulated and, if not made to proper standards, could harm your eyes. Always consult with an eye care professional to ensure the lenses are right for you, and follow all instructions for cleanliness and care to prevent any infections or problems.
Your Vision: A Bright Future
The thought of using color-changing eye drops for a new look has a certain charm, but in truth, the risks simply do not justify that temptation. No scientific basis, unregulated products, and serious risks of vision impairment or injury: all these factors must be seen together to thoroughly land you in the category of folks who will lump it in the “bad idea” folder. Your eyes are essential for vision, and they are also exceedingly delicate and sensitive, requiring the utmost care and protection.
If you are keen on changing your eye color, take professionally prescribed colored contact lenses from a reliable source. This way, you can maintain the fun of a new look while keeping your eyes safe and healthy.
Be informed and protect your eyes because your vision is priceless.
