A recent procedure in South Africa marks the arrival of the country’s first permanent eye-colour change procedure, performed by an internationally experienced ophthalmologist in Johannesburg, reports IOL.
Dr Rob Daniel, who spent years practising in Ireland and the United Kingdom, was formally trained and qualified in the technique in France, and while similar procedures have sparked controversy globally, this approach is notably different.
Daniel works within a framework rooted in refractive surgery, with strict patient selection and clinical governance at its core.
For decades, changing your eye colour meant relying on contact lenses: temporary, often uncomfortable, and not without risk, but the new procedure offers something far more lasting.
“It’s the first time we can safely and permanently alter eye colour without entering the eye itself,” Daniel said, “which is what makes it such a significant step forward.”
How it works
The technique, known as kerato-pigmentation, avoids the risks associated with earlier methods like iris implants or laser depigmentation.
Instead, a femtosecond laser is used to create a precise micro-tunnel within the cornea, the clear front layer of the eye. Medical-grade pigment is then carefully placed into this space, forming a new colour layer that sits in front of the natural iris.
The colour is visible immediately, though it takes a few months to fully settle.
Most patients experience mild discomfort for a day or two and return to normal activities within a few days.
Because the procedure does not enter the internal structures of the eye, many of the more serious risks linked to intraocular surgery are avoided.
Still, Daniel emphasises that careful screening is essential.
“We assess both the physical health of the eye and the patient’s expectations. This is permanent, so psychological readiness is just as important as medical suitability.”