Corneal tattooing

Corneal tattooing is a form of cosmetic surgery applied to the cornea, used to improve the visual look of the eye, improve vision or reduce the effects of scarring.

The technique was first described by Galen, who burnt the cornea with a heated stilleto, and applied either a iron or copper mixture, thereby making the cornea more transparent. In the 19th century, modern techniques were introduced to recreate the colour of the iris stroma, using Indian ink. Further research looked into the ways of stabilizing the pigment, and ways to apply these pigments to the eye.

BME, a magazine that deals with all kinds of body modifications, has in July 2007 covered this procedure as a way of decorative tattooing.