Eye drops that change color are popular, but are they safe?

The harsh reality is that these drops are not safe and could cause major eyesight damage, so stop thinking about lavender-hued stares or mint-green eyes.

A Spreading Pattern With Unspoken Dangers

Tempting? Absolutely. Dangerous? Even more so. The FDA has not approved these so-called eye color-altering drops, despite their widespread use on social media and on dubious e-commerce websites. Actually, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has warned people to avoid it.

"When you see a product like this online, it can look harmless," says Dr. Michael Boland, an associate professor at Harvard who specializes in glaucoma at Mass Eye and Ear. "However, there is no control over the manufacturing process and no means to know what is in these bottles."

Briefly? It is not safe to put in your eyes just because it is popular.

What Is the Promise of Color-Changing Eye Drops?

The science—or lack thereof—becomes hazy at this point. 

Results are said to appear in a matter of hours and may persist for days or even weeks.

However, when you delve further, the promises begin to fall apart. There is no reliable proof that these drops work as advertised or even that they have any effect on melanin, according to Dr. Boland.

"I have not come across any explanations of how they could possibly function," he claims. "The components frequently contain chemicals that are present in eye drops or cosmetics, but nothing that would truly alter the color of the eyes."

To put it another way, you are not purchasing a miracle. You are purchasing risky wishful thinking.

How Can Something Go Wrong? Actually, quite a bit.

In addition to failing to produce stunning results, unregulated eye drops have the potential to cause major harm. The AAO issues a warning about a number of possible risks associated with using these goods, including:

inflammation of the eyes

Irritation or infection

Sensitivity to light

A higher intraocular pressure can cause glaucoma.

Even irreversible blindness

The biggest warning sign? Possible injury to the cornea, which is the transparent front surface of the eye, could result in blindness.

According to Dr. Boland, "the cornea is sensitive." "There is a genuine risk of vision loss if it is damaged by unidentified toxins. Not only hazy eyesight, but irreversible harm.

Desire a Different Eye Color? A Safer Way Is Available

Colored contact lenses are a safe, reversible, and FDA-approved method of changing your eye color that has only been available for decades.

Dr. Boland advises prudence even in this situation.

"However, avoid purchasing them from novelty stores or unreliable internet retailers."

Uncontrolled or improperly fitting contact lenses can irritate the eye, lead to an infection, or stop oxygen from reaching the cornea, particularly if they are not cleaned or stored properly. Make sure you follow the right procedures if you are serious about trying a new eye color: obtain an eye exam, have your eyes fitted by a specialist, and use FDA-approved lenses.

The Short Version: Do not Risk Your Vision

You cannot experiment with your eyes. These are delicate and complex organs that require more attention than a bottle of mysterious drops from a website with sloppy spelling.

Therefore, be wary of advertisements that promise sapphire-blue eyes in 12 hours or less. Is a short-term aesthetic improvement worth jeopardizing my vision?

Because while trends change over time, eyesight loss never goes away.