FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

We invite you to join us for KERATO Lectures with Alexander Movshovich MD PHD, as you look through this FAQ page. In these lectures Dr. Movshovich discusses all aspects of the Keratopigmentation procedure and answers most of the frequently asked questions.

 

Join us in a new KERATO podcast episode where we discuss such topics as:

  • what is keratopigmentation

  • how is the procedure performed at KERATO, what should be discussed before you decide on the eye color change, and what is a typical recovery process

  • what makes KERATO method stand out as a safe option

What is Kerato procedure?

Keratopigmentation is a novel procedure that permanently changes the color of the eye by means of creating an intracorneal tunnel with the aid of a femtosecond laser and inserting a special pigment in front of the natural pigment of the eye.

This procedure doesn’t involve the opening of the eye and therefore avoids intraocular complications like hemorrhages, infection, retinal detachment, and glaucoma.

Automated with the highest precision laser technology, the procedure is performed under topical anesthesia with eye anesthetic drops and is not painful.

Introduction to eye anatomy

 

What IS the Safest option for a permanent Eye Color Change?

There are few ways to change your eye color, each of them involve some risks, advantages and disadvantages.

  First, and the easiest alternative is Color Contact Lenses. The advantage is that it’s not a lifelong commitment- you can stop wearing them anytime or wear different colors whenever you like and, secondly, lenses can also correct your vision. However, lenses are not for everybody, besides typical possible complications, they often require time for adaptation and the patients require certain handling skills. More disadvantages include limited wear time, foreign body problems, lenses can be broken or lost, timely hygienic procedures and maintenance cost.

  Laser Depigmentation of the Iris is another novel procedure to change eye color from light/medium brown to blue, however it includes potential complications, like iris damage, inflammation, pigment dispersion and glaucoma. The procedure has a low rate of success, requires several treatments and in many cases results in repigmentation within a year. Some patients are ending up with faded grey color that is impossible to predict or change.

  Silicone Iris Implants is considered to be the most risky way to change an eye color. This procedure is very often found to increase the risk of chronic inflammation, glaucoma, and cataracts. Besides that, a track record of complications following the surgery could put patients at risk for vision loss. Side effects may take years to develop or might be seen soon following the surgery and leads to explanation of the artificial iris. Some of the negative side effects can be irreversible.

  Keratopigmentation is a unique procedure offered initially in Spain by Dr. Alió and then in France by Dr. Ferrari. Now you can get a permanent eye color change in New York at KERATO, performed with a unique method, developed by Dr. Movshovich MD, PhD.

 

What is the price of the procedure?

The price of the keratopigmentation eye color change procedure is $12.000. It includes a consultation with Q&A, complete eye diagnostic testing, color simulation with 9 KERATO colors using photos we take of you in the office, and two follow-ups after the procedure.

 

Does insurance cover eye color change at Kerato?

Keratopigmentation is not covered by insurance because it’s an elective cosmetic procedure and not a medical necessity.

 

WHAT ARE THE FEES FOR CONSULTATION?

Consultation is $300, which will be included in the price of the procedure.

 

CAN THE consultation be done online?

Please kindly note that we do not provide online consultations anymore as it was done due to COVID-19 situation. Now that the restrictions have been lifted we are happy to see you in our offices in New Jersey.

 

How many simulations does the consultation cover?

We do simulations for all nine main KERATO colors.

 

Do you offer special financing?

We are now offering financing from 12-24 months with 0% APR through Alphaeon and Carecredit. The application process is easy.

 

Are there any risks?

The risks of keratopigmentation are similar to any refractive procedure (PRK, LASIK, or SMILE) - in the majority of cases, they are limited to symptoms of dry eye and some degree of photophobia (increased sensitivity to light). Usually, they last from days to a few weeks and are successfully treated with anti-inflammatory drops (prescribed by your doctor). In the majority of cases, visual acuity remains the same (being slightly blurry for 24-48 hours); in some patients, it may last longer, especially, in cases of hidden hyperopia or early presbyopia (usually after 40 years of age).

Though allergic reaction to the pigments cannot be 100% ruled out – to date, they were not reported with use in keratopigmentation procedures.

To the best of our knowledge, there is no reported intraocular complication after that procedure.

 

What are the contraindications for eye color change procedure at KERATO?

 

Please watch a video for a more detailed explanation of absolute and relative contraindications for Kerato procedure.

As a rule, keratopigmentation following the KERATO method is performed on healthy eyes, nevertheless depending on a procedure you had before or intending to have there are the following Absolute and Relative contraindications:

  • Absolute contraindications - in no circumstances keratopigmentation could be used in cases of:

    • Radial keratotomy

    • Full thickness corneal transplant

  • Relative contraindications - that is what becomes clear during the consultation:

    • Lasik, Smile

      These procedures have a superficial plane of separation within the corneal stroma. The keratopigmentation procedure has that as well but significantly deeper. In some cases, these planes could coalesce which makes the insertion of the pigment dangerous as it can diffuse to the center of the optical zone and decrease vision. In the majority of cases that could be determined before surgery, but in rare instances, it becomes clear only after the Kerato channel is already formed. In that case, the procedure has to be stopped and no pigment would be inserted. There won’t be any consequences to that and the Patient will be fully reimbursed for the procedure.

    • Corneal dystrophy and diseases

    • Some patients with glaucoma.

      There are two major types of glaucoma: 1) narrow angle glaucoma - requires Laser treatment, which should be done before the KERATO-method procedure; 2) open angle glaucoma - may require long-term treatment including laser treatment or surgery

    • Patients after penetrating corneal trauma

    • Patients who need other type of eye surgery or procedure in the future

Patients who underwent laser depigmentation procedure do not have contraindications for the KERATO-method procedure unless they have developed glaucoma. Patients who had PRK can safely go for eye color change at KERATO.

 

Will my vision feel different at night time?

Before performing Keratopigmentation we always measure the size of the pupil in dark and light conditions and never do artificial pupil less than night pupil size. That is why there are no cases of substantial night vision issues reported to this day. One patient reported a faint shadow in his temporal visual field similar to the sensation when one wears a colored contact lens.

 

Does KERATOpigmentation have a complication known for eye tattooing?

No, despite the fact that Keratopigmentation also uses pigments this is an absolutely different procedure and IT DOESN’T HAVE COMPLICATION OF EYE TATTOOING. Here are the major differences:

  • During keratopigmentation, pigment is placed inside the cornea and covers the true color of the eye. Tattooing places the pigment on the white part of an eye and does not change the actual eye color.

  • In Keratopigmentation there is NO leaking of the pigment, but in tattooing it was reported multiple times.

  • Keratopigmentation is performed by MD with the precision of Femto second laser and in sterile conditions. Tattooing is not done by a medical professional and has multiple reports of infection and complications.

 

How much discomfort one can expect during and after the procedure and for how long?

The procedure itself is not painful. Sometimes people report feelings of pressure or mild discomfort . Until the next morning patients usually have foreign body sensation and mild to moderate pain that is treated with pain relieving drops and oral Tylenol as needed. These symptoms are resolved by the next morning in most cases, but in some instances may be apparent for up to 72 hours.

 

What would my vision be like right after the procedure?

Right after the procedure your vision will be somewhat blurry and will stay like that for a few hours and often till the next day. In some cases hypersensitivity to light and foreign body sensation as well as dryness may stay longer but usually quickly alleviate by prescribed anti inflammatory medications and artificial tears.

 

What if I’ve changed my mind and want to go back to my natural color?

Despite the fact that Keratopigmentation results in permanent color change, it is still possible to wash out some of the pigment with the residual pigment staying around the pupil and the limbal ring.

 

Is it possible to change the intensity of the color?

Depending on your wishes we can use high or low dilution of the pigment. Less dilution creates brighter color, but less natural look and vice versa.

 

How many procedures can one have with this technique? Is there a maximum limit?

At KERATO you can do up 2 to corrections after the initial eye color change procedure.

 

Is it possible that kerato METHOD technique will be improved in the future and if so, will those who did it now be still eligible for corrections?

Every technique has room for improvement. Still, you should know that this procedure is permanent, and the only adjustment at this time would be the small diminishing of the intensity of the color or the addition of the other color, which will not change the final result predictability. Both of these adjustments can be made even if the KERATO method technique is upgraded in the future.

 

Will my eyes look natural after the surgery?

Most of the pigments used by KERATO are naturally looking,  however, some people might be able to realize that your eyes have been retouched if they look from a short distance and under intense lighting. It is more obvious with the less diluted dye used, creating more intense coloring of the eye (which is the personal choice).

 

Can the thickness of the limbus be customized?

The thickness of the limbal ring could be adjusted according to the patient’s wish.

 

Will the results last forever?

Since Keratopigmentation is a novel procedure that has been practiced for a little more than 15 years, it’s too early to claim that the result will last for a lifetime, however, if color fading does occur after several months or years – it can be enhanced and restored.

 

What is the recovery time?

In the majority of cases, you will be able to return to your normal routine, including physical activities within 2-3 days of the procedure, though you might feel some residual discomfort. Additional drops for the treatment will be prescribed for another 20 days.

 

Can I undergo eye color change procedure at kerato if I had a BrightOcular implant done?

BrightOcular implant surgery turned out to be very harmful and was reported to cause blindness in some cases. It is recommended to have implants removed as soon as possible, wait for up to 3 months, and then check if the cornea is healthy enough to consider keratopigmentation.

 

What are the eye color pigments used at KERATO?

At KERATO we exceptionally use France-made pigments, which consist of the natural vegetable equivalent of propylene glycol and PH modifiers (lactic acid or Na-hydroxide), such as chromium oxides, ultramarine, copper phthalocyanine, titanium dioxide, black iron oxide, and iron oxide depending on the color you choose.

 

Can I have refractive (PRK, LASIK, SMILE) procedure and keratopigmentation done at the same time?

No, you cannot have the refractive procedure and eye color change at KERATO done at the same time. We suggest having keratopigmentation first and then, after at least 3 months, you will be ready to have refractive surgery.

 

Who performs procedure at KERATO?

Meet the surgeon

Dr. Movshovich completed his residency in ophthalmology and his Fellowship in vitreoretinal disease and surgery at Cornell University Medical College at New York Presbyterian Hospital where he is now a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology.

In the past 20 years, Dr. Movshovich has researched, published, and lectured at national meetings on numerous topics in ophthalmology, including macular hole surgery, optic nerve pit, retinal detachment surgery, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal vascular occlusion, and management of dislocated intraocular lenses.

Now, his research interest moved toward refractive surgery and laser keratopigmentation to change the color of the eyes.

 

Do I have to change my identity documents after eye color change PROCEDURE at kerato?

Yes, your appearance will change; consequently, your picture identity documents will have to be updated soon after the keratopigmentation procedure.

 

Where is Kerato address?

KERATO’s surgical center is located in New York City:

  • 160 East 56th Street NY, NY 10002

The initial consultation is available at our office in New Jersey:

  • 596 Anderson Avenue Ste 101
    Cliffside Park, NJ 07010