Corneal tattooing, or keratopigmentation, involves placing pigment into the corneal stroma to improve cosmetic appearance or reduce glare. It is usually performed in eyes with poor or no vision.
Indications
Leukomas, scars, or irregular pupils that cause cosmetic concern can be darkened or masked to match the fellow eye. In some cases, tattoos around an artificial pupil reduce light scatter and photophobia.
- Pigment can be applied via superficial abrasion, intrastromal channels, or lamellar pockets
- Colour and pattern are selected to blend with iris appearance
- Procedure may be combined with contact lenses or other surgeries
- Modern pigments aim for long-term stability and biocompatibility
Considerations
Results are primarily cosmetic; vision rarely improves and may even be reduced if the visual axis is covered. Careful counselling and realistic expectations are essential.
- Fading, colour change, or irregularity may necessitate touch‑ups
- Infection or inflammation is uncommon but possible
- Reversal is difficult, making pre‑operative trial lenses or simulations helpful
- Best suited to stable, non‑seeing or poorly seeing eyes
