French ophthalmologist Dr. Francis Ferrari is drawing international attention for developing a surgical technique that permanently changes eye color. The procedure, known as Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Annular Keratopigmentation (FLAAK), has seen growing public interest and increased visibility on social media.
While originally based on a medical procedure used to treat eye disorders, the technique is now being offered for cosmetic eye color change in selected eye centers.
Dr. Francis Ferrari is a French ophthalmic surgeon who has specialized in corneal surgery for several decades. In collaboration with Spanish ophthalmologist Jorge L. Alió, he developed FLAAK, a laser-assisted method of keratopigmentation designed to alter the apparent color of the eye without operating on the iris itself.
According to information published by his clinic, Dr. Ferrari performed the first cosmetic FLAAK procedure in 2013. Since then, he has treated patients from multiple countries and has trained other ophthalmologists in the technique. The procedure is currently available through specialized centers in France and a limited number of international clinics.1
FLAAK changes the visible color of the eye by placing mineral-based pigments within the cornea, the transparent front layer of the eye.
During surgery, a femtosecond laser creates a thin circular tunnel inside the cornea. The surgeon then injects sterile pigments into this tunnel, producing the appearance of a different iris color while leaving the iris untouched. The operation is usually performed under topical anesthesia and generally takes less than one hour.2
Unlike cosmetic iris implants or iris depigmentation procedures, FLAAK does not enter the inside of the eye or remove the eye's natural iris pigment. Instead, the color change is created by placing biocompatible pigments within a laser-created intrastromal corneal tunnel, changing only the apparent eye color while preserving the iris itself.¹²
Patients undergo a detailed ophthalmic examination before surgery to determine whether they are suitable candidates. People with certain eye conditions, including glaucoma, severe corneal disease, or advanced cataracts, may not be eligible for the procedure.
Candidates also undergo assessment of corneal thickness, ocular surface health, and overall eye anatomy to determine whether the procedure can be performed safely.¹
Keratopigmentation is not a new procedure. Ophthalmologists have used corneal pigmentation for many years to manage medical conditions such as corneal scarring, iris defects, traumatic eye injuries, aniridia, and severe light sensitivity.3
Dr. Ferrari and his collaborators adapted this established surgical concept for cosmetic eye color change in healthy eyes. The technique was also developed as an alternative to cosmetic iris implants, which have been associated with serious complications, including glaucoma, corneal damage, and vision loss.
As reported in Salon, he said,
If you put an implant, or if you remove the pigment of the iris, you have to go into the eye. We just remain on the eye’s surface, so it is less invasive.Dr. Francis Ferrari, Ophthalmologist, Inventor of FLAAK Keratopigmentation
Although FLAAK has gained popularity, ophthalmology studies continue to emphasize that permanent eye color surgery is an irreversible procedure with potential risks.
Published studies and reviews have reported possible complications including glare, halos, light sensitivity, dry eye symptoms, corneal inflammation, infection, pigment-related changes, and challenges in examining deeper eye structures during future ophthalmic evaluations. Researchers also emphasize that cosmetic keratopigmentation lacks extensive long-term follow-up compared with established ophthalmic procedures, making continued surveillance important.3
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has previously advised that cosmetic eye color-changing procedures should be approached cautiously and recommends prescription colored contact lenses as the safest option for people seeking temporary eye color changes.4
Interest in permanent eye color surgery has grown alongside a social media trend featuring videos of cosmetic keratopigmentation procedures and patient transformations.
As awareness of the procedure expands, ophthalmologists continue to stress the importance of comprehensive preoperative evaluation, informed consent, and discussion of potential risks before undergoing the surgery. Current research continues to evaluate the long-term safety and outcomes of FLAAK in healthy eyes.
1. New Eyes Paris. n.d. “Dr. Francis Ferrari: Inventor of FLAAK Keratopigmentation.” Accessed June 27, 2026. https://neweyesparis.com/en/dr-francis-ferrari-keratopigmentation/
2. Alafaleq, Munirah, Jaime Garrido, and Francis Ferrari. 2023. “Femtosecond Assisted Keratopigmentation (FAK) with a 5-Millimeter Diameter Aperture Does Not Affect Ocular Examination.” European Journal of Ophthalmology 33 (5): 1898–1902. https://doi.org/10.1177/11206721231158275.
3. Zegers, Richard H. C. 2025. “The Ever Ongoing Cosmetic Quest to Change Eye Colour.” Acta Ophthalmologica 103 (3): 357–362. https://doi.org/10.1111/aos.16798
4. American Academy of Ophthalmology. 2024. “American Academy of Ophthalmology Issues Warning on the Dangers of Eye Color-Changing Procedures.” January 29, 2024. Accessed June 27, 2026. https://www.aao.org/newsroom/news-releases/detail/academy-issues-warning-on-eye-color-procedures.
5. Ferrari, Francis, and Jorge L. Alió. 2015. "Description of a New Method of Changing Eye Color: Case Report of Aesthetic Annular Keratopigmentation (AAK)." Cornea 34 (2): 210-213. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25530350/
6. Ferrari, Francis, et al. 2023. "The Safety and Effectiveness of a Novel Annular Keratopigmentation Technique: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Patients." Cornea. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37370030/