Can You Change Your Eye Color? 3 Ways to Go?

05.01.2024 | Lydia | TTDeye Care

Eye color is determined by genetics, with slight natural changes over time. While newborns' eye color may evolve in the first six months to a year, significant changes in adult eye color could signal underlying issues. Seeking medical advice is crucial!

This article explores potential reasons for natural changes in eye color and delves into 3 methods for changing eye color, whether temporarily or permanently. It's essential to understand the pros and cons of these methods. Keep reading for more insights.

Possible Reasons for Natural Eye Color Change

Can eye color change? Yes, minor shifts in eye color can occur due to physiological factors like pupil size, light scattering, and sun exposure. Here's how:

Pupil Size Influence

Changes in pupil size can affect how your eyes appear. Wider pupils expose less of the iris, making the eyes look darker. Smaller pupils reveal more of the iris, creating the illusion of lighter eye color.

Light Scattering in Light-Colored Eyes

Light-colored eyes, such as blue, grey, and green, may seem to change based on surroundings. This optical illusion results from light scattering and the lack of pigmentation in these eyes.

Light-colored-eyes may seem to change based on surroundings.

Sun Exposure Impact

Sunlight exposure prompts increased melanin production. Even if your eye color is generally stable, more sunlight exposure can lead to subtle darkening. This effect varies, resulting in a slightly deeper shade of brown, blue, green, or grey.


โ— These conditions only affect the visual appearance of your eyes, not the actual color. If you notice a sudden, significant change in eye color, it could indicate a lesion or injury. In such cases, consult an ophthalmologist promptly. Conditions include:

  • Cataracts
  • Arcus senilis
  • Corneal disease
  • Uveitis
  • Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis (FHI)
  • Injuries like hyphema (bleeding inside the eye)

Is it possible to change your eye color? Absolutely! How? Explore 3 potential methods to address this curiosity, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Discover more by reading below.


1. Eye Color Changing Contacts | Temporary Eye Color Change

๐Ÿ“Œ Safety: High

๐Ÿ“Œ Cost: $10-30 per pair at TTDeye

๐Ÿ“Œ Convenience: High

๐Ÿ“Œ Recommend or Not: Yes

The first temporary way to go is to try colored contact lenses. Available in a variety of colors such as brown, gray, blue, green, and even white, black, purple, and red, color contact lenses can safely change your eye color.

Colored contacts work by covering the iris with the color of the lens. The surface of the lens contains colored pigments that are designed to mimic the appearance of the iris. Some give the illusion of a realistic eye color, while others create dramatic vibes for Halloween or cosplay.

Eye color-changing contact lenses are not "one size fits all" items. Take TTDeye as an example. The lenses come with different power ranges including -1.00, -1.25, -1.50, -1.75, -2.00, -2.25, -4.50, -4.75, -5.00, -5.50, -6.00, -6.50, -7.00, -7.50, -8.00, and 0.00. Not only can they change your eye color, they can also correct myopia!

Check out how TTDEYE's colored contact lenses look in fashion folks' eyes!

Colored contacts can change your eye color temporarily.

2. Eye Color Changing Surgery | Permanent Eye Color Change

๐Ÿ“Œ Safety: High risk

๐Ÿ“Œ Cost: $5,000-7,000 or more

๐Ÿ“Œ Convenience: Low

๐Ÿ“Œ Recommend or Not: Seriously, NO

Eye color change surgery offers a permanent transformation through methods like iris implants or laser surgery, but it comes with a higher cost and higher risk.

Iris Implant Surgery

This procedure is intended for individuals with missing or damaged irises. During the surgery, an eye surgeon cuts the cornea, placing a colored silicone implant that unfolds to cover the iris.

However, studies indicate serious risks such as glaucoma, cataracts, cornea injury, and uveitis. Additional surgeries may be required to remove the implants or undergo a cornea transplant if damage occurs.

Due to these risks, the American Academy of Ophthalmology advises against undergoing this procedure for cosmetic reasons.

Eye color changing surgery has high risks

Laser Surgery

This procedure alters your eye color by eliminating pigment cells in the iris, transforming brown eyes into blue since blue eyes lack pigment. However, this surgery, which is not approved in the U.S., carries potential side effects like glaucoma and uveitis.

3. Eye Color Changing Drops | Temporary Eye Color Change

๐Ÿ“Œ Safety: Low

๐Ÿ“Œ Cost: $60+

๐Ÿ“Œ Convenience: Convenient, but unreliable

๐Ÿ“Œ Recommend or Not: NO

My initial response to the idea of eye color-changing drops is a skeptical "Excuse me"! Your eye color is genetically determined by the amount of melanin in the iris, and it's not something eye drops can alter.

While some medications may unintentionally darken eyes as a side effect, they are prescribed for serious conditions. As for eye drops claiming to permanently lighten eye color, there's no evidence to support their effectiveness, according to the Brooklyn News.

There's no evidence to support eye drop's effectiveness on eye color change

Comparison of the 3 Ways That Change Your Eye Color

Here is a comparison table of the 3 ways that are possible to change your eye color.

  Eye Color Change Contacts Eye Color Change Surgery Eye Color Change Drops
Safety High High risk Low
Cost $10-30 per pair $5,000-7,000 or more $60+
Convenience High Low Convenient, but unreliable
Effect Temporary Permanent Temporary
Recommend Yes No No

Final Words

Safety goes first! The safest option to change your eye color is colored contact lenses. Permanent iris implant or laser surgery is not recommended because of the high risk involved. As for the eye color changing drops, there is no evidence showing they work.

Shop TTDeye colored contact lenses to safely change your eye color!