Doc Says He Can Make Your Brown Eyes Blue
EmailAre you a brown-eyed girl or guy who has always wanted to go blue? Forget the contacts. One doctor says he can make the color change permanent.
Dr. Gregg Homer at Stroma Medical in California announced on KTLA-TV that he had come up with a laser procedure that removes the brown pigment, known as melanin, in the iris. Once removed, the blue color underneath is revealed, giving the person blue eyes. Homer said the procedure takes about 20 seconds.
“We use a laser that’s tuned to a specific frequency to remove the pigment from the surface of the iris,” he told KTLA.
The change is irreversible because, once removed, the melanin cannot grow back.
Sound scary? Homer says he’s been working on the science for 10 years. He told the news channel that he and his team had 15 ranges of “sophisticated” tests to make sure there is no eye tissue damage during or after the procedure.
Homer predicted the procedure would be on the market outside the U.S. in 18 months and available here in three years.
Homer apparently sees his technique as more than a surgical procedure.
“The eyes are the windows to the soul, [there's] this idea that people can actually see into it — a blue eye is not opaque. You can see deeply into it, and a brown eye is very opaque, and I think that there is something meaningful about this idea of having open windows to the soul,” Homer told KTLA.
Ouch. We brown-eyed folks might have some dirty window panes preventing others’ looking into our souls, but it might be best to keep our souls invisible and stick with what our genes gave us.
Lasering the iris to destroy the brown pigment to turn it blue is “probably risky,” Dr. Robert Cykiert, associate professor of ophthalmology at NYU Langone Medical Center, told ABCNews.com.
“When you burn the brown pigment away with a laser, the debris that is created in the front of the eye — think of it as ashes resulting from burning anything — is likely to clog up the microscopic channels in the front of the eye, known as trabecular meshwork,” said Cykiert. “[It] is very likely to cause a high pressure in the eye, known as glaucoma.”
In some patients, this high pressure might be temporary, he said, but in others, it could be permanent. Glaucoma is a disease that can cause serious permanent loss of vision.
Cykiert also said that burning large amounts of brown pigment is likely to cause inflammation and potential damage to the cornea. The procedure could also bring on cataracts, depending on the severity of the inflammation.
Dr. Ivan Schwab, a professor of ophthalmology at the University of California at Davis School of Medicine and clinical correspondent at the American Academy of Ophthalmology, also has his doubts. He said several long-term studies should get under way before Homer offers the procedure to the public.
“These risks take time to develop, so they may not develop in the first year or two. It could take five or 10 years,” said Schwab. “If a large number of people were to undergo this procedure, and it caused these problems down the road, we’d have a major public health problem on our hands.”
“We are lucky to have the sensory abilities of vision,” said Schwab. “I’d let someone operate on my eyes if I had a problem, but I wouldn’t go asking for trouble.”
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Throughout high school and university I’ve learned in Biology that eye colour is dependent on gene expression. Blue eyes are recessive and expressed only when those genes are present. Brown eyes are expressed when those genes alone are expressed.
Now is this doctor telling us that layers of blue make brown and you just have to laser off the brown?
And what’s wrong with brown eyes?! I know one person who didn’t like brown eyes…Hitler.
Posted by: Kit Fletcher Hill | November 3, 2011 November 3, 2011, 2:41 pm
I might consider it if you could pick and choose colors, but I would not do it just for blue. Not that I have anything against blue eyes, I just do not think it would look right on me. Maybe green or grey. Now if they can figure out exotic colors, I am on board. And don’t say contacts. I wore contact for years and hated them. Will never go back to contacts ever again.
Posted by: Doug | November 3, 2011 November 3, 2011, 3:01 pm
@Kit it is caused by the genes. Eye color is caused by various layers of pigments in the eye (which is what he is talking about) but which of these layers are there is caused by genes. So just because its possible to get rid of the pigment with a laser it doesn’t mean the initial pigment wasn’t caused by genes.
Posted by: nkdeck07 | November 3, 2011 November 3, 2011, 3:37 pm
I guess the desire to be a member of the Aryan race still exists for some…. some folks might still be indoctrinated with the idea of “blue” eyes being better than brown…..
all I can say is this: stupid, stupid, stupid…. live with the color of eyes with which you were born….
Posted by: abby | November 3, 2011 November 3, 2011, 3:41 pm
I like my brown eyes. They look good on me!
Posted by: Peggy | November 3, 2011 November 3, 2011, 4:06 pm
Ok, so I can actually think of one clinically applicable use for this technology. I once met a woman who had one blue and one brownish eye. She hated it to the depths of her being because of the comments. People assume that she was happy with the different colors. She wasn’t and when I asked her, she told me that she would have absolutely rather have them the same color. This is exactly the person for whom this cosmetic procedure was meant for, she told me that the taunting by children was relentless. Otherwise, the health risks far outweigh the benefits to cosmetic appearance.
Posted by: Doc | November 3, 2011 November 3, 2011, 4:10 pm
Not sure why such criticism. *You* prefer brown eyes, therefore *I* shouldn’t have a choice? It’s got nothing to do with Hitler. Some people would simply like to have blue eyes, or blonde hair, or fewer wrinkles, or thicker eyelashes, or two distinct eyebrows, or… (you get the idea). If it turns out there’s a safe way to do that, then what’s the harm?
Posted by: Mike | November 3, 2011 November 3, 2011, 4:19 pm
Just because someone has blue eyes doesn’t mean they are a member of the Aryan race. Some people might just think blue eyes are prettier than brown. To each their own. I have brownish/greenish/hazelish eyes (depending on who you ask) and I wouldn’t trade them for blue but I don’t think there is anything wrong with someone wanting to. If I was going to change them I would go with colored contacts before I let someone shoot a laser in my eye!
What I do think is “stupid, stupid, stupid” is someone telling someone else they should “live with the color of eyes with which you were born”. Who are you to tell anyone else what to do with their body!
Posted by: David | November 3, 2011 November 3, 2011, 4:26 pm
Tigers picher Max Scherzer has one blue and one brown eye. He says he doesn’t mind it and it’s a great conversation starter.
Posted by: David | November 3, 2011 November 3, 2011, 4:33 pm
Cut loose like a deuce, another runner in the night
Posted by: Shawn | November 3, 2011 November 3, 2011, 4:40 pm
Good god… this is what my tax dollars are going to?! My tax dollars are being wasted on people who can’t live with what they were born to look like? As far as I’m concerned, if you’re willing to take a health risk because of what other people think about your looks, you have some serious self-esteem issues. Don’t listen to what the media and society as a whole is telling you what you “should” look like.
Posted by: Christina | November 3, 2011 November 3, 2011, 4:48 pm
This guy is NOT an ophthalmologist. He has a PhD but his current job listing is as an entertainment lawyer in Beverly Hills and he owns his own “science” company. The potential risks of his proposed procedure are serious. Beware!
Posted by: Tracy | November 3, 2011 November 3, 2011, 5:47 pm
Yikes… I’ve always said that the only thing I’d ever change about myself was my eye color. But after reading this, I feel a bit gun shy. Haha! Infact, I’d rather keep my brown eyes because they may be hard to find down the road… brown will be the new blue. ;) But to each his own. Just be careful with your eyes!!
Posted by: Heather | November 3, 2011 November 3, 2011, 7:15 pm
This makes me think of the experiments they did on twins during the Holocaust and that blinded and killed many. Seriously, blue eyes are just a mutation, that sadly I myself have, that for some reason people find attractive. I would much rather have dark brown eyes like my brother, but I accepted the genes that I received and believe people should except theirs also instead of taking risks like that mentioned above.
Posted by: Katt | November 3, 2011 November 3, 2011, 8:23 pm
Donuts make your brown eyes blue
Posted by: Kevin | November 4, 2011 November 4, 2011, 9:43 am
I’ll add this to the list of things that I would not do to my body for the sake of vanity. Vision is precious…not a risk I would take.
Posted by: Thoughtyouknew | November 4, 2011 November 4, 2011, 3:17 pm
No thanks! I love my brown eyes!
Posted by: Janet | November 5, 2011 November 5, 2011, 7:31 am
Removing brown pigment in the iris would not reveal the blue pigment underneath–there is no “blue pigment” in the human eye. Blue eyes are a result of light reflection and diffraction, not an actual blue pigment.
And this Dr. Homer’s comments about blue eyes providing a more open window to the soul–that’s pretty disturbing, and seems to imply that the 90+% of the human race who DON’T have blue eyes are somehow less human than those blesses with blue eyes.
Posted by: Ben | November 5, 2011 November 5, 2011, 2:31 pm
Is there any reason to think that melanin wouldn’t reproduce the pigment over time? I was born with blue eyes, like many babies, and they turned green over a period of years from production of pigment. I was at least 13 before my eyes were fully green. As I age my eyes will probably continue to develop more pigmented spots / areas. Would laser treated eyes not continue to change as well?
Posted by: MT | November 6, 2011 November 6, 2011, 1:42 am
Is this technique supposed to be compatible with someone that got Laser eye surgery for vision correction ?
Posted by: Marccccc | November 6, 2011 November 6, 2011, 12:47 pm
Hmm, why is it that when it comes to dogs, people love brown eyes? I’m always hearing how dog owners love their dog’s soulful brown eyes. The eyes of cows are also admired for bring brown. Cat eyes, especially cats with blue eyes, are sometimes described as “expressionless”. So, are light colored eyes less expressive than dark eyes?
Posted by: April | November 8, 2011 November 8, 2011, 1:21 pm
Omg. When the Korean girls hear about this they will freak out.
Posted by: Blah Blahson | November 9, 2011 November 9, 2011, 1:25 am
This is a remarkable discovery! I would love to get the procedure done to get the brown out of my hazel eyes but don’t think that is an option! I wonder what color the blue is that is produced from this surgery? Ice blue would be amazing; not so fond of dark blue though! Nevertheless, amazing work doctor!!
Posted by: Steve | November 9, 2011 November 9, 2011, 7:05 am
I think this find is brilliant! I’m proud of what God blessed me with, but it would be wonderful to do the procedure. I wouldn’t mind changing my eyes from brown to blue, it’ll keep everyone on their toes. People I haven’t seen in a while, would be astonished! I love it! =))
Posted by: Mayo | November 15, 2011 November 15, 2011, 8:52 am
I’m not against the doctor or his surgery (I wear dark blue contacts over my dark brown eyes in fact), I just think his quote about blue eyes not being opaque is a bit silly, if they were transparent (or translucent) then you could see fully or partially into someone’s brain through their iris.
What he perhaps should have said is the patterns in blue eyes are more visible or interesting.
Posted by: Jermzy | November 19, 2011 November 19, 2011, 1:17 am
i can’t wait till this is available. i sent an email to the company (info@stromamedical.com) and got a lot of informration about the procedure. it looks awesome!
Posted by: sandy | November 24, 2011 November 24, 2011, 12:02 pm
But why did the writer say ” We brown-eyed folks might have some dirty window panes preventing others’ looking into our souls”?? Brown eyed folks do not have “dirty window panes”, this is ridiculous. Window panes should be clear and blue is not clear.
If you ever want to see the someone’s soul, you’ll need to look straight into their pupils, it’s dark because it’s actually a hole…the only thing covering the pupil is the cornea, which is clear. The true ‘window of the soul’ of the eyes is the cornea, it’s as clear as glass and covers the eye. You can look straight through it into the pupil (the hole), and btw..all pupils are black.
Posted by: Robin B | November 30, 2011 November 30, 2011, 8:51 pm
What on Earth is so horrible about wanting to look unique? Have any of the scandilized people bashing the surgery given any thought to what it’s like to be constantly confused for other people of your own ethnicity? I freely admit that if brown eyes were a minority like blue eyes are I would be extremely proud to have them- I’d smile and never stop smiling. But they’re not. It’s a sad truth that people with colored eyes get recognized for being more unique- 95% of the world has brown eyes, who can blame them. When the article says “accept the eye color you were born with” it’s really saying accept having brown eyes and get used to the fact that your not special.
Posted by: Jermzy | December 4, 2011 December 4, 2011, 1:23 pm
Blue eyes are windows to the soul and brown eyes are opaque? What rubbish. I love to stare into the depths of brown eyes. Blue eyes are pretty too but I wouldn’t feel I can stare into them as deeply–all that light being reflected back out at me LOL.
Besides, burning your eyes just to get a different color–stupid beyond reason.
Posted by: Beth | December 5, 2011 December 5, 2011, 1:50 pm
Well, I like my brown eyes so you can keep your procedure. People need to learn to accept themselves and stop with all this crap. Life is too short.
Posted by: Vicky | December 9, 2011 December 9, 2011, 9:00 pm
Um I don’t really stare deeply into peoples eyes I don’t find myself admiring other peoples eye color really because that is something so insignificant in one’s character I presonally feel I would be a lot prettier with blue or green eyes and it would also feel good to hear all the idiots to kiss my ass because I have light eyes really would
Posted by: johncena | December 31, 2011 December 31, 2011, 6:25 pm
this can’t come soon enough!! me and a lot of my friends are really excited about this – thank you stroma medical! =)
Posted by: Rene | January 18, 2012 January 18, 2012, 6:52 pm
Dr i will love to be your model for your permanent eye color change i m 23 years old my dream its been just this so i will be so glad , I have brown eyes and kind of cute guy here that will be for sure the perfect example if u interesting i m in md hope to hear from you, btw if u get this done you will make history thats for sure :) good luck and god bless you
Posted by: jairo pinto | March 27, 2012 March 27, 2012, 1:37 am
I think this can work. I have been looking for this for a very long time. This is somewhat like magick and ghosts, people do not believe in them, but magick is real and so are ghosts.
But where outside the U.S will this be available? Canada? Mexico?
I should start saving money lol
I can not wait and I am very exited.
Posted by: ana | March 31, 2012 March 31, 2012, 9:13 pm