Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Cosmetic Iris Implants—the Pressure of Being Beautiful

  • Diagnosis and Monitoring of Glaucoma (J Kammer, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Ophthalmology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review outlines the use of cosmetic iris implants, their complications, and the management of complications. We reviewed recent research to answer the questions of which complications are most often seen and how they are typically handled.

Recent Findings

Experience over the past decade with cosmetic iris implants has shown that most common complications are corneal decompensation, ocular hypertension/glaucoma, cataract, and uveitis. Explantation is most often the preferred management, but further treatment may be required even after the implant is removed.

Summary

There are no safe cosmetic iris implants. Ophthalmologists should be aware of their use, complications, and indications for removal. They should feel comfortable counseling patients about the risks of cosmetic iris implants. Professional groups have advised against the use of these implants and should continue to monitor the marketplace domestically and internationally so that they can advocate for patient safety.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

  1. Galvis V, Tello A, Corrales MI. Postoperative results of cosmetic iris implants. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2016;42(10):1518–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Choyce P. Intraocular lenses and implants. London: HK Lewis; 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Srinivasan S, Ting DSJ, Snyder ME, Prasad S, Koch H. Prosthetic iris devices. Can J Ophthalmol. 2014;49(1):6–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Mamalis N. Cosmetic iris implants. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2012;38(3):383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Mayer C, Tandogan T, Hoffmann AE, Khoramnia R. Artificial iris implantation in various iris defects and lens conditions. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2017;43(6):724–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. El Chehab H, Gatinel D, Baudouin C, Muraine M, Hoffart L, Rozot P, et al. Complications of cosmetic iris implants: French series of 87 eyes. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2020;46(1):34–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Ghaffari R, Aldave AJ, Al-Hashimi S, Miller KM. Complications of cosmetic artificial iris implantation and post explantation outcomes. Am J Ophthalmol. 2021;226:156–164. This retrospective case series reports on typical complications associated with cosmetic iris implantation and outcomes following their explantation.

  8. Mansour AM, Ahmed IIK, Eadie B, Chelala E, Saade JS, Slade SG, et al. Iritis, glaucoma and corneal decompensation associated with BrightOcular cosmetic iris implant. Br J Ophthalmol. 2016;100(8):1098–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Shah RD, Randleman JB. New color iris implants. Ophthalmology. 2012;119(7):1495–1495.e2. This letter is an early report alarming the ophthalmic community of the vision-threatening sequelae of cosmetic iris implants.

  10. Weissbart SB, Ayres BD. Management of aniridia and iris defects: an update on iris prosthesis options. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2016;27(3):244–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Koaik MK, Mansour AM, Saad A, Farah SG. BrightOcular® cosmetic iris implant: a spectrum from tolerability to severe morbidity. Case Rep Ophthalmol. 2018;9(2):395–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Kelly A, Kaufman SC. Corneal endothelial cell loss and iritis associated with a new cosmetic iris implant. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2015;133(6):723–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Mathew DJ, Belkin A, Schlenker MB. Explantation of BrightOcular cosmetic iris implant and goniosynechialysis: a case report. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2019;67(8):1357–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Mednick Z, Betsch D, Boutin T, Einan-Lifshitz A, Sorkin N, Slomovic A. Bilateral BrightOcular iris implants necessitating explantation and subsequent endothelial keratoplasty. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2018;12:1–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Al-Khersan H, Tran AQ, Amescua G. Blurred vision in a young woman with cosmetic iris implants. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.6549.

  16. Bore M, Choudhari N, Chaurasia S. Management of complications of cosmetic iris implants in a phakic eye: a case report and literature review. Int Ophthalmol. 2019;39(5):1141–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Hull S, Jayaram H, Mearza AA. Complications and management of cosmetic anterior chamber iris implants. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2010;33(5):235–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Cosmetic iris implants carry risk of permanent eye damage. EyeSmart. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/iris-implants-risk-eye-damage. Accessed 16 June 2022.

  19. Arjmand P, Gooi P, Ahmed IIK. Surgical technique for explantation of cosmetic anterior chamber iris implants. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2015;41(1):18–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Sikder S, Davis SW, Patel VP, Holz H, Moshirfar M. Complications and management of newcoloriris implantation in phakic eyes. J Refract Surg. 2011;27(4):239–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Scott DAR, Guest SJ, McKelvie J. Cosmetic anterior chamber iris implant: a case report documenting severe complications and morbidity after 9-year follow-up. Can J Ophthalmol. 2022;57(1):e16–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ahmad A. Aref.

Ethics declarations

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Diagnosis and Monitoring of Glaucoma

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Frank, C.R., Parker, P.R., Chen, M.Y. et al. Cosmetic Iris Implants—the Pressure of Being Beautiful. Curr Ophthalmol Rep 10, 73–78 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40135-022-00289-1

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40135-022-00289-1

Keywords

Navigation