Scleral tattooing is an extreme form of body modification that permanently alters the color of the white part of the eye. This practice has gained visibility in body modification communities, sparking discussion about its safety and implications. This article provides factual information on scleral tattooing, detailing the procedure, motivations, associated health risks, and regulatory perspectives.
What is Scleral Tattooing?
Scleral tattooing permanently colors the sclera, the opaque, fibrous white outer layer of the human eye. The sclera forms the supporting wall of the eyeball and extends from the clear cornea at the front to the optic nerve at the back. It is a strong, protective tissue that helps maintain the eye’s shape.
The procedure involves injecting ink with a needle underneath the top layer of the eye, the conjunctiva, onto the sclera. Unlike traditional skin tattoos that involve multiple punctures, scleral tattooing typically requires a few injections, from which the ink gradually spreads to cover the white of the eye. Water-based tattoo inks are commonly used, and the modification is permanent; the ink does not fade like skin tattoos, and removal is generally not possible.
Reasons for Choosing Eyeball Tattoos
Individuals choose scleral tattoos for self-expression and aesthetic preferences. This modification dramatically changes appearance, transforming the eye’s white into a solid color like black, blue, or green. Many are motivated by a desire to stand out or align with specific body modification subcultures.
For some, it represents personal transformation or a challenge to societal norms. Its striking and irreversible nature makes it a powerful statement. While motivations are diverse, they generally revolve around a unique and visually impactful aesthetic.
Understanding the Health Implications
Scleral tattooing carries significant health risks, primarily because the procedure involves injecting foreign substances into a delicate and sensitive organ. One immediate danger is the risk of infection, which can be bacterial, viral, or fungal, and can lead to serious conditions like endophthalmitis, an inflammation inside the eyeball that may result in permanent vision loss. The sclera is less than one millimeter thick, increasing the risk of needle perforation, which can cause retinal detachment or direct damage to the eye’s internal structures.
Allergic reactions to the ink are also a concern, potentially causing inflammation (scleritis or uveitis) and persistent irritation. Incorrect ink injection depth can lead to ink migration, where the pigment spreads to other parts of the eye, potentially obscuring vision or making future eye examinations difficult. Patients often report increased light sensitivity (photophobia) and a constant feeling of foreign body sensation.
In severe cases, complications can include glaucoma due to increased intraocular pressure, cataracts, and partial or total vision loss, including irreversible blindness. The most extreme outcomes can necessitate surgical eye removal (enucleation) to alleviate pain or prevent infection spread. These procedures are typically performed by individuals without medical training or sterile environments, exacerbating the inherent dangers.
Regulation and Ethical Stance
The legal and regulatory status of scleral tattooing varies by jurisdiction, often lacking comprehensive oversight. Many medical and ophthalmological organizations worldwide strongly advise against the practice due to its high risks and absence of medical benefit. For example, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists universally condemn cosmetic scleral tattooing.
Some regions have enacted bans or regulations to prohibit the procedure. In the United States, states like Oklahoma, Indiana, Nebraska, and Washington have made scleral tattooing illegal. Similarly, Canadian provinces such as Ontario and Saskatchewan have banned the practice, with others like Manitoba considering similar legislation. Medical professionals emphasize that scleral tattooing is not a recognized medical procedure and is performed outside sterile clinical settings.