Remember the old favourite, Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison? Over the years, there have been countless songs written about the eyes and love. Even in Bollywood, songwriters are forever romanticizing the eyes. The look of love is actually a thing, apparently, when you look at someone you are attracted to, your pupils dilate. However, there are a few other reasons such as brain damage, eye injury and even excessive alcohol use that can cause dilated pupils. So, look out the next time someone you are talking to has dilated pupils, they could be drunk or in love with you.
Throughout the ages, women have been dressing up their eyes to look more attractive. The beauty industry is heavy on eye make-up; according to Grand View Research, the global eye make-up market size was valued at USD 18.2 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7 per cent from 2024 to 2030. In South Korea, double eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is fairly common to make the eyes larger and make women look more attractive. In fact, many girls demand it as a turning 18 present.
The Colour Of Your Eyes
There is a new trend on the rise, where you can change the colour of your eyes. Yes, with Keratopigmentation (KTP), also known as corneal tattooing, a procedure that inserts colour pigments into the cornea, you can ditch your brown eyes and get those blue eyes you always wanted.
Dr. Aparna Santhanam, Consultant Dermatologist, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC, Mahim, says that in India, the cases of therapeutic demand for Keratopigmentation are associated with restoring corneal opacity caused by trauma, corneal scars, or diseases like aniridia or keratoconus. India has a large population affected by corneal blindness (6.8 million, according to WHO), which drives the therapeutic need.
She says, “While less common than therapeutic use, cosmetic KTP has gained traction among young, urban, and affluent individuals. Patients seek this procedure as a permanent alternative to coloured contact lenses. However, awareness in India remains low compared to markets like South Korea or the Middle East. Cosmetic procedures in India are growing by 15-20 per cent annually, and KTP is likely to follow a similar trajectory as awareness increases.”
She says given the high cost of the procedure and aftercare, the demand comes from well-to-do people, primarily between the ages of 20 to 40. “The procedure would cost anywhere between Rs1.5 lakh–3.5 lakh per eye, depending on the surgeon and facility. Follow-up & aftercare would add another Rs 20,000– 50,000 to the total expenses over the course of recovery. These prices are competitive globally but still high for the average Indian, making it more popular among affluent individuals,” she says.
When asked about the risks involved, she says, “While the procedure has evolved significantly, there are risks such as infection, scarring or corneal damage, and graft rejection as the pigments or materials used might cause an inflammatory response. Post-surgical risks include glaucoma, loss of vision, and unsatisfactory aesthetics such as uneven pigmentation or fading of the colour over time.”
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has warned against using the procedure purely for cosmetic reasons, stating it carries a serious risk of vision loss and complications, advising patients to weigh the risks against the gain before opting for it.
_20241022181640_original_image_10.webp)
