Scleral tattoos, also known as eyeball tattoos, involve injecting ink into the white part of the eye, the sclera, to permanently change its color. This extreme body modification raises questions about its permanence and potential for removal. This article explores the realities of eye tattoos, their inherent permanence, and the significant challenges and dangers associated with any removal attempt.
Understanding Ocular Tattoos and Their Permanence
Eyeball tattooing permanently colors the white of the eye by injecting ink with a needle underneath the top layer of the eye, the conjunctiva, onto the sclera, where it slowly spreads. The sclera is a strong, fibrous tissue that covers the cornea and protects the eye. Unlike skin tattoos, scleral tattoos typically involve only a few injections, allowing the ink to disperse within the eye’s delicate layers.
The ink integrates deeply into the scleral tissue, making these tattoos highly permanent. Unlike skin tattoos, scleral tattoos will not fade and are expected to last a lifetime. The eye’s unique and delicate structure makes extracting this integrated ink extremely difficult without causing damage.
Challenges and Limited Options for Removal
Removing scleral tattoos presents significant technical and practical difficulties, as there are no established, safe, or effective protocols. Standard laser tattoo removal techniques, commonly used for skin tattoos, are not safe for the eye. The high-intensity light energy from lasers poses a substantial risk of damage to the retina, lens, or other vital ocular structures.
Surgical excision of ink from the sclera is also extremely difficult and dangerous. The sclera is less than one millimeter thick, making it highly susceptible to perforation during any surgical attempt. The ink is injected between two layers of the eye, complicating efforts to remove it without irreversible harm. Medical professionals consider the practice inherently risky.
Potential Complications of Attempted Removal
Any attempt to remove scleral tattoos carries a high risk of severe and irreversible medical complications. These can include permanent vision loss or complete blindness. The delicate nature of the eye means that even a slight misstep during a removal attempt can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
Other serious complications include chronic inflammation, infection leading to eye loss, glaucoma, and cataracts. Retinal detachment and eyeball perforation are also potential adverse events. Patients have experienced severe pain and disfigurement, sometimes requiring surgical eye removal.
Outcomes and Considerations for Those with Eye Tattoos
For individuals with scleral tattoos, complete and safe removal is generally not possible. Attempts at removal often lead to severe complications or incomplete, scarred results, rather than a return to the eye’s natural state. The decision to get an eye tattoo is considered permanent.
Individuals with eye tattoos experiencing discomfort, changes in vision, or other complications should seek immediate consultation with an ophthalmologist. Medical intervention focuses on managing symptoms and addressing complications, such as infection or inflammation, rather than removing the tattoo itself.