Eye surgeon issues warning on popular online hack that 'could cost your eyesight'

Eye drops claiming to change the colour of your eyes have become TikTok’s latest health trend. While it may seem harmless, the products have spurred ophthalmic surgeon Dr Ali Mearza into action as he fears some people could permanently lose their vision to the trend.

The OCL Vision expert warned people against using these drops and other products around your eyes as the consequences could be irreversible. He highlighted: “Applying these substances to the eye can lead to infections, corneal damage, and in extreme cases, vision loss.

“The eye is an incredibly delicate organ, and what may seem like a simple cosmetic change can have irreversible consequences. I urge anyone considering these products to think twice and prioritise their health over trends.

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“The allure of changing one’s eye colour may seem harmless, but these eye drops can contain harmful ingredients that are not approved for such use. These products are marketed online without proper regulation, making it difficult for consumers to discern which ones are safe."

He claimed: “They do not undergo any tests or trials so nobody actually knows if they work or not or if the products have been packaged in a sterile manner. To add insult to injury, if the product doesn’t work or there are complications, there is limited recourse as the products are unregulated.”

While it might seem outlandish to imagine eye drops changing the colour of your eye, the expert explained it is possible. He said that some drops used for glaucoma treatment cause the pigmentations of the eye to become darker as a side effect.

Dramatic transformation videos has drawn a wide audience for these products on TikTok, particularly targeted towards young people which the surgeon is particularly worried about. He warned: “The long-term effects of using unregulated eye drops remain largely unknown. There has been no research into the active ingredients in the products which supposedly make a difference to eye colour. This is problematic, especially when used daily as suggested."

He urged anyone who is still interested to “consult with qualified healthcare professionals before trying any cosmetic procedures or products”. Dr Mearza also recommended safer methods to change your eye appearance such as prescription coloured contact lenses.