Doctor warns of the risk of changing eye color, like Maya Massafera

By revealing her new light green eyes on social media, influencer Maya Massafera sparked more than praise and criticism — she also reignited the debate about the risks of keratopigmentation, a technique used to permanently change eye color . Although the procedure has gained notoriety abroad, it remains banned in Brazil for aesthetic purposes.

Watch the video of the influencer's change in appearance:

“This type of corneal tattoo is only recommended here for eyes that are no longer able to see ,” explains Leiser Franco, an ophthalmologist working at Unimed Goiânia. “When performed on healthy eyes, the risks increase significantly and may even lead to the need for a corneal transplant ,” adds the specialist.

According to Franco, keratopigmentation is a technique that applies pigments directly to the cornea. “In Brazil, it is only authorized in medical cases, to improve the appearance of eyes that are whitish due to vision loss,” he says. In these cases, the goal is to restore the eye's appearance and help with self-esteem.

“It is an important solution for those who have lost their vision and also suffered an aesthetic impact. For these patients, the procedure can be a game changer,” adds the doctor.

Maya, who lives in London, has made a remarkable choice because it is exclusively for aesthetic purposes — and is performed on healthy eyes. Experts warn that there is still not enough safety for this use. The practice is not approved by either Anvisa or the Federal Council of Medicine.

In addition to being irreversible, keratopigmentation differs from other interventions such as artificial iris implants or colored intraocular lenses, which can be removed in the event of complications. “In the case of corneal tattooing, there is no going back,” says the specialist.

Influence and repercussion

At 44 years old, Maya Massafera is going through a gender transition process and sharing her journey with millions of followers. When she appeared with her “new eyes”, she divided opinions on the internet. While many praised the change, others expressed concern about the safety of the surgery.

“I’m afraid of these procedures and that in a few years it will turn out badly, like blindness,” wrote one user. “Wasn’t there an option to use contact lenses?” asked another.

Beauty at any cost?

While some people are inspired by celebrities ' radical transformations, the specialist urges caution. According to the doctor, there is still no consensus on the safety of keratopigmentation in healthy eyes — and, for now, in Brazil, the procedure remains outside the legal and ethical limits for aesthetic purposes.

According to the ophthalmologist, studies are still being carried out. “Until there is a safe and approved solution, changing the color of your eyes will continue to be a desire that can cost much more than you imagine,” he concludes.