Laser for lighter eye color

A Dr. Gregg Homer recently developed a laser procedure that eradicates the pigment cells in the iris, making the eye color lighter.  Those pigment cells are responsible for brown and hazel eyes- when the pigment is gone, the eye appears more blue.  This is the same phenomenon seen in babies with blue eyes which eventually may turn darker.  At birth, many of the pigment has not yet formed. 

A potential risk of the procedure is the pigment release into the chambers of the eye can cause the pressure to rise inside the eye, a form of glaucoma.  Would it be worth it?  Time will tell. 

Comments

[San Diego Cosmetic Surgeon]

Isn't this procedure dangerous since it affects the pigments of the that serves as the portection for the iris? Won't it affect the vision?

[Gregg Homer]

Hi,

I'm the founder of Stroma and the inventor of its laser eye color procedure. We appreciate (and share) the cautiousness of both physicians and the press regarding safety, but with that caution has come some misinformation about the risk of glaucoma associated with our procedure. To help clarify the issue, we've posted a paper at www.stromamedical.com/Public_Papers/Glaucoma.pdf. And rest assured, we will not release our product unless and until it has been extensively tested, and our internal board of physicians are satisfied that it is safe.

Best,
Gregg Homer, JSD (PhD)

[Dr. Jeffrey Spiegel]

This is a fascinating procedure that I think will really be popular in time. However as with any new surgery it's smart for patients to wait until it's been tested many, many times before proceeding.