 Platinum
eyeball jewelry that originated in Europe and has made its way to
L.A. is leaving some U.S. ophthalmologists wary. The jewelry, thin
platinum stars, hearts and half-moons, is implanted into the eye's
mucus membrane during an in-office procedure.
The director of the L.A.-based Maloney Vision Institute is the
first U.S. ophthalmologist to perform the procedure known as "JewelEye."
During the 15-minute procedure, an incision is made in the thin
layer of skin that covers the eye, and the tiny jewel is slipped
underneath so that it sits on top of the eyeball itself. JewelEye
costs $3,900 and is performed with the patient under local anesthetic.
He claims it is as safe, or safer than, colored contact lenses.
But others disagree, saying the procedure may cause chronic eye
redness, irritation, rejection or infection. Plus, the procedure
has not been thoroughly tested and the risks are not fully known.
There have only been 50 eyeball jewelry procedures conducted in
the world so far, yet many experts are questioning if the benefits
really outweigh the risks.
Big
News Network August 11, 2004
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