What is cosmetic eye color surgery?

During cosmetic eye color surgery, a folded artificial iris made of silicone is put through a cut in the cornea, states the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Once in place, the implant is unfolded and placed over the original iris, changing its color. As of March 2015, AAO does not recommend the procedure.

Cosmetic eye color surgery is not regulated in the United States, and it has not been tested thoroughly for safety, according to AAO. The operation is performed in countries outside the United States. Some studies indicate there are potentially serious health risks to the surgery, including blindness, increased eye pressure leading to glaucoma, injury requiring a cornea transplant and iris inflammation.