· Here’s everything you need to know about eyeballpiercings, from how they are implanted, to the complications they can bring to the wearer. Why pierce your eyeball? Eyeballpiercings first became popular in Europe and eventually made their way into the United States in the 2010s.
Understanding the Context
Before getting a piercing, most people put some thought into where they’d like to get pierced. There are lots of options, as it’s possible to add jewelry to virtually any area of skin on your body — even your teeth.But did you know it’s also possible to pierce your eyes?Eyeball piercings are much less common than other body piercings, but they have gained popularity since they were invented at the Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery in the early 2000s.Eyeball piercings aren’t performed the same way as traditional body piercings, which are done with needles or piercing guns.Eyeball piercings, technically called extraocular implants, involve surgically implanting jewelry just below the clear surface of the white of your eye.It’s important to note that this is a cosmetic procedure that comes with serious risks. Most eye doctors will not perform this type of surgery and highly discourage it.See full list on healthline.comAn eyeball piercing can be a small shape, like a heart, star, or gemstone, in the white of your eye. The jewelry is very small, just a few millimeters wide, and is made from a platinum alloy.
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Key Insights
The procedure is performed by eye surgeons who are comfortable working with eyeball jewelry, and who have the proper tools to implant it.A similar but more extensive procedure is called an intraocular implant. During this surgery, an entire artificial iris, which is the colored part of your eye, is inserted below the top clear layer of the eye on top of your natural iris. Your eyes will be a different color after the procedure.This procedure was originally developed to change the eye color of people with irises that didn’t develop normally, or who had injuries that damaged their eyes. See full list on healthline.comVery few eye surgeons offer eyeball piercings. In some places, it’s not legal to perform these procedures because of the high level of risk that’s involved.
Important Details
What’s more, not all eye surgeons are comfortable with this tricky surgery, even if it’s legal where they practice. The procedure requires exact precision and specialized tools to avoid what are sometimes very serious complications.Here’s how the procedure generally goes:1.You undergo preoperative testing to check that your eye health and function is completely normal and thus fit for surgery.2.You select the type of jewelry and placement you’d like.3.An anesthetic will be injected into both of your eyes to numb them so you don’t feel pain.See full list on healthline.comIt’s true that some parts of the body are more painful to pierce than others. Reports of pain during extraocular implant procedures are mixed. Some people report a lot of pain, while others report none at all.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t surprising, because everyone’s level of pain tolerance differs. See full list on healthline.comAll surgical procedures carry risks. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), people should avoid eyeball piercings because they don’t have enough safety evidence and come with many risks.The AAO also notes people should avoid putting anything into the eye that’s not approved to be medically safe by the Food and Drug Administration. The AAO also warns of various complications, including:•infection•bleedingSee full list on healthline.comIf you do decide to get an eye piercing or recently got one, here’s how to take care of it. Some level of discomfort, such as pain or itching, following your eyeball piercing is normal. Your doctor may recommend you take an anti-inflammatory medication to help ease the pain.
Otherwise, take it easy with using your eyes for a few days. When they feel normal again, you can resume your usual activities.Avoid touching your eyeball piercing, as this can put you at risk for a serious eye infection. It’s important to keep any other foreign objects out of your eye, like contact lenses or dust. Keep your eyes clean. Your eyeball piercing is a permanent part of your eye. There’s no need to remove or replace it so long as it’s not bothering you. If you do notice signs of an eye infection, reach out to your doctor right away.See full list on healthline.comYou’ll need to attend several eye exam appointments after you get the piercing to ensure your eye stays healthy. These follow-up visits help your doctor catch any complications you’re having with your eyeball piercing before they become more serious.If your eyeball piercing feels very uncomfortable, or if you experience any of the following symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor right away:•bleeding•blurring or loss of vision•eye discharge that crusts at night and makes it hard to open your eyes in the morningSee full list on healthline.comEyeball piercings are a newer, extreme body art trend. They’re not common due to the high level of risk involved. If you’re interested in getting an eyeball piercing despite the risks, it’s important to know exactly what the procedure, risks, and aftercare entail. These permanent eye decorations increase your risk for eye infections and eye tears, which can lead to vision loss or changes, or even permanent blindness.If you get an eyeball piercing, be sure to follow your eye surgeon’s instructions carefully before and after surgery. Be sure to attend your follow-up appointments, and report any signs of complications right away.See full list on healthline.comView allSep 6, 2025 · Eyelidpiercings are risky due to their proximity to the eye, potentially causing nerve damage, corneal scratching, and permanent vision changes. Eyeballpiercings are especially dangerous and can lead to severe infection, eyeball puncture, and blindness. · The definitive scientific answer is absolute: you cannot pierce the eyeball, or the globe, without causing catastrophic and permanent structural damage that leads to blindness. Any such attempt immediately transforms a cosmetic modification into a severe medical emergency. · Today, I want to tackle a topic that often pops up in conversations: piercingoneyeball. Let’s clear the air right away. People often ask me, “Is eyeballpiercing a real body modification?” My answer is always a firm no. Not in the way most people imagine a piercing. · Eyeballpiercing, though uncommon, entails unique risks and experiences. Understand the procedure, potential complications, and aftercare to ensure safety and satisfaction with your body art. · Discover the world of eyeballpiercing, a unique and extreme form of body modification. Learn about the procedure, risks, and aftercare involved in scleral piercing, including eye jewelry options and potential complications, to decide if this striking cosmetic trend is right for you. · Eyelidpiercings are risky due to their proximity to the eye, potentially causing nerve damage, corneal scratching, and permanent vision changes. Eyeballpiercings are especially dangerous and can lead to severe infection, eyeball puncture, and blindness. · The definitive scientific answer is absolute: you cannot pierce the eyeball, or the globe, without causing catastrophic and permanent structural damage that leads to blindness. Any such attempt immediately transforms a cosmetic modification into a severe medical emergency. · Today, I want to tackle a topic that often pops up in conversations: piercingoneyeball. Let’s clear the air right away. People often ask me, “Is eyeballpiercing a real body modification?” My answer is always a firm no. Not in the way most people imagine a piercing. · Eyeballpiercing, though uncommon, entails unique risks and experiences. Understand the procedure, potential complications, and aftercare to ensure safety and satisfaction with your body art. · Discover the world of eyeballpiercing, a unique and extreme form of body modification. Learn about the procedure, risks, and aftercare involved in scleral piercing, including eye jewelry options and potential complications, to decide if this striking cosmetic trend is right for you.
