Ocular Complications And Management Of Cosmetic Iris Implants: A Case Series Of 30 Eyes
Published 2025 - 43rd Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: FP10.05 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/mkxf-g386
Authors: Antonio Moreno Valladares* 1 , Claudia Alessandra Zambrano Santoyo 2 , Johanna Gonzalez 3 , Blanca Bajén Espuña 2
1Hospital Universitario de Albacete,Albacete,Spain;Quironsalud Albacete ,Albacete,Spain, 2Hospital Universitario de Albacete,Albacete,Spain, 3Oftalmología Especializada Oaxaca,Oaxaca,Mexico
Purpose
This case series of 30 eyes analyses complications associated with cosmetic iris implants. It highlights significant risks including corneal decompensation, glaucoma, and uveitis, emphasising the need for patient education and the need for total banning of these procedures performed for cosmetic reasons in otherwise healthy eyes.
Setting
This study is a retrospective case series conducted at Moorfields Eye Hospital, analysing the ocular complications and outcomes associated with cosmetic iris implants between 2008 and 2023. This is the largest case series of ocular complications of cosmetic iris implants to date.
Methods
A retrospective review of 30 eyes from 15 patients was performed. Data collected included patient demographics, implant type, presenting symptoms, visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), endothelial cell count, and surgical interventions. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests and multivariate logistic regression.
Results
The median time to explantation was 45.5 months (range: 6.0-140.1 months). Uveitis was the most common complication (60% of eyes), followed by corneal decompensation (36.7%) and raised IOP (36.7%). Post-explantation, 38.3% of eyes required glaucoma surgery, 23% underwent Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty, and 13.3% had cataract surgery. A statistically significant correlation was found between time to explantation and corneal decompensation (p = 0.048). Mean IOP decreased significantly from 22.17 ± 11.36 mmHg to 13.82 ± 4.56 mmHg post-explantation (p = 0.001).
Conclusions
Cosmetic iris implants are associated with significant ocular complications, often requiring multiple surgical interventions even after explantation. The risk of corneal decompensation appears to increase with longer implant duration. These findings underscore the importance of patient education regarding the potential risks of these unapproved devices and confirms the serious questions about their long-term safety and ethical implications and the need to ban these procedures.