SAN LUIS POTOSÍ, Mexico.- The keratopigmentationpopularly known as corneal tattooing, is a procedure in which a layer of color is added to the cornea. Recent cases of Cuban celebrities who have resorted to this method to change their appearance have emerged on social media.
He procedure Cosmetic is irreversible and was originally used to correct corneal abnormalities such as coloboma, aniridia and even as a corrective method for intractable diplopia.
He process It consists of changing the appearance of the color of the eyes, which is naturally determined by the amount of melanin, the natural pigment that gives color to the skin, eyes and hair, deposited in the iris.
The first references to “corneal tattoos” date back more than 2000 years to the times of the Greek physician Galen, and were intended to treat leucomas or opacities of the cornea, which caused blurred vision and other vision difficulties.
What are the procedures?
The first ones methods “Corneal tattooing,” like cauterization, was very rudimentary and involved exposure to infections and other complications.
Its pioneers, the Greeks Galen in the 2nd century and Aetius of Amida in the 5th century, burned the outermost layer of the eye, the cornea, and applied ink, or natural pigment, based on plants or minerals such as iron or copper, which would correct the pigmentation defect through the incorporation of the pigment into the scar tissue.
Traditional needle tattooing was performed and popularized from the late 19th century through the 20th century. The methods and tools used then followed the same principle: making tiny holes in the epithelium of the cornea and applying inks or pigments to the stroma, which is the middle and widest layer of the cornea.
The femtosecond laser is another method used to achieve pigmentation change in the cornea.
A microscopic tunnel is created that accesses the stroma, where the pigment is then injected. The use of this technique is associated with a more uniform distribution of the pigment, and therefore with better aesthetic results.
It is a faster, more precise method, and also results in fewer complications and shorter recovery times.
Is keratopigmentation risky?
The complications This procedure may be intraoperative or late.
During the procedure, epithelial erosions, pigment leakage into the conjunctiva, which is the white space surrounding the iris, and infection may occur.
It may occur drilling of the cornea or loss of the corneal epithelium, which can result in permanent vision loss.
The most common complication experienced by patients undergoing this procedure is excessive sensitivity to light, followed by lightening or discoloration of the pigment.
Other complications include visual field limitations, irregular or inconsistent pigment coverage, corneal edema, and in some cases, neovascularization or the generation of new blood vessels that can cause significant vision loss.
