The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), a prestigious U.S. association of eye doctors, has recently issued a serious warning about the potential dangers of eye drops that claim to change eye color, which are growing in popularity due to viral videos circulating on social media—particularly TikTok.
This issue had already gained attention in Italy a couple of years ago when one such video was identified as covert advertising, and the company behind it was reported to the Antitrust Authority and fined. Unfortunately, this measure has not stopped the creation of countless new videos and products that promise to lighten eye color—from black to brown, or brown to green or blue.
These videos and advertisements often feature striking “before and after” images, but they provide vague or no details on how the drops work and completely omit any mention of possible side effects.
The main concern, as highlighted in a recent AAO press release, is that these eye drops are not approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), and the claim that they can lighten eye color has no scientific basis. There are no clinical tests supporting their effectiveness, and—more importantly—no data proving they are safe.
In theory, these drops would work by reducing the amount of melanin in the iris, but none of the listed ingredients are known to have this effect. Moreover, even assuming the drops could reduce melanin in the eye, it is unknown whether the effect would be confined to the iris or could also affect the retina, where melanin plays a crucial role in protecting photoreceptors—the delicate nerve cells responsible for vision—from harmful light exposure.
A reduction of melanin in the iris could lead to light sensitivity or photophobia, and reduced protection for the lens from ultraviolet radiation. Meanwhile, a reduction of melanin in the retina could facilitate the onset of diseases that damage photoreceptors, leading to vision loss.
Another major concern is the lack of regulation: these products are made by companies not subject to controls regarding product quality, manufacturing sterility, and the absence of chemical or biological contaminants. This poses a serious risk of eye infections and inflammation.
According to product instructions, these eye color-changing drops should be applied at least twice daily for a prolonged period—ranging from 3 to 7 months. This means that any harmful effects could accumulate and lead to serious long-term consequences for eye health.
Since there are no scientific studies on the effects of these products on the human eye, it is entirely unknown to what extent they might damage vision—or whether such damage would be reversible or permanent.
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of this trend is that the primary target audience for these drops—especially via TikTok and other social media platforms—is children and teenagers, who are especially vulnerable both psychologically (due to insecurities about physical appearance) and in terms of knowledge and critical thinking, given their young age and lack of experience.
Dr. JoAnn Giaconi, spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, emphasized the importance of educating potential consumers—especially those targeted by TikTok videos and other online content—that these eye color-changing drops are not FDA-approved and have not undergone rigorous testing for safety or effectiveness. Their use poses multiple serious risks, including:
- Ocular inflammation
- Eye infections
- Light sensitivity or photophobia
- Elevated intraocular pressure or glaucoma
- Permanent vision loss
The AAO’s press release ends with an urgent recommendation that should also reach the parents of young social media users: never apply any product to the eyes that has not been rigorously tested for efficacy and safety, as doing so exposes users to the risk of serious eye diseases and even blindness.
Dr. Jung Hee Levialdi Ghiron
Responsabile comunicazione scientifica Rome Vision Clinic
Fonte
Opthalmology Times
Italian
English