There are tattoo lovers who want butterflies, roses, or meaningful dates on their wrists. And then there are tattoo lovers who want to alter their appearance at the most extreme level possible, by tattooing their eyeballs.
If that sentence made you pause, you are not alone.
Yes, you heard that right. Eyeball tattoos are real. They exist. And they are among the most controversial body modifications in the world.
Before we go any further, an important note.
Disclaimer
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This blog is for educational and informational purposes only. Eye tattooing, also known as scleral tattooing, is a high risk body modification that can cause serious and permanent eye damage, including vision loss and blindness. It is not a medically approved cosmetic procedure in many countries. Always consult qualified medical professionals and understand the risks fully before considering any procedure involving your eyes.
What Is an Eye Tattoo, Really?
An eye tattoo, commonly referred to as an eyeball tattoo or sclera tattoo, is a procedure where pigment is injected directly into the sclera, which is the white part of the eye.
- This is not makeup.
- This is not a contact lens.
- This is permanent.
Unlike a tattoo of an eye on the skin, a scleral tattoo alters the actual appearance of the eye itself. The pigment spreads beneath the surface of the sclera, permanently changing its color.
Eye Tattoo Meaning
For different people, the meaning varies.
• Extreme self expression
• Aesthetic rebellion
• Identity within body modification culture
• Pushing physical and social boundaries
When people ask ‘can you tattoo your eyes’, the technical answer is yes. The responsible answer is that it comes with severe medical risk.
Types of Eyeball Tattoos
Eyeball tattoos are not one size fits all, though all carry significant risk.
- Traditional Eyeball Tattoo: This involves ink injections directly into the sclera using a needle. The ink spreads beneath the surface. This is the most common and most dangerous form.
- Full Sclera Tattoo: The entire white portion of the eye is colored, often black, blue, green, or red. This is what most people picture when they think of tattooed eyes.
- Partial or Design Based Sclera Tattoo: Some opt for limited coverage or patterns. However, eyeball tattoo design options are unpredictable because ink spreads freely inside the eye.
- Sclera Tattoo vs Keratopigmentation: Keratopigmentation is a medical procedure performed by ophthalmologists for corrective or cosmetic reasons. It targets the cornea, not the sclera. A scleral tattoo is not a medical procedure and is not regulated the same way.
Who Would Even Think of Such a Thing?
Eyeball tattooing originated within extreme body modification communities in the early 2000s.
It began as experimentation outside traditional tattooing norms. The goal was not subtlety. It was shock, transformation, and boundary breaking. As images of people with tattooed eyes spread online, curiosity followed. What was once underground slowly entered public awareness.
Visibility brought imitation. And imitation brought risk.
Eyeball Tattooing in the Now
Eyeball tattooing today exists at the intersection of extreme self expression, internet visibility, and niche body modification culture. While still rare, it is no longer unheard of.
Why people get eye tattoos today:
• Visual shock and uniqueness: Tattooed eyes are instantly noticeable. For some, the appeal lies in standing out in a world where traditional tattoos no longer feel extreme.
• Influence of social media: Images of people with tattooed eyes circulate widely online. Platforms reward the unusual, and eyeball tattoos generate attention, curiosity, and controversy.
• Subculture identity: Within certain body modification circles, scleral tattooing represents commitment, fearlessness, and boundary pushing.
• Aesthetic preference: Some individuals genuinely prefer the look of dark or colored sclera and see it as an extension of their overall appearance.
• Rejection of conventional beauty standards: Eyeball tattoos are often chosen by those who want to reject mainstream ideas of beauty and normalcy entirely.
How people get eye tattoos today:
- Procedures are often performed outside medical environments
- Many practitioners are body modification artists, not licensed ophthalmologists
- Regulation varies significantly by location
- Safety protocols are inconsistent and not standardized
Despite public warnings from doctors, eye surgeons, and health authorities, people still opt for scleral tattooing. Some do so fully aware of the risks. Others believe complications are rare or exaggerated.
The reality is that eyeball tattooing remains medically discouraged, regardless of its growing visibility.
Cost of Eyeball Tattoos in the US
One of the most searched questions is how much does it cost to get eye tattoo procedures.
Average Cost of Eyeball Tattoos in the US
On average, the cost of sclera tattoo procedures ranges between 3000 USD and 10000 USD per eye. In some cases, it can be higher.
There is no standardized pricing.
Phase Wise Cost Breakdown
- Consultation and evaluation: 200 to 500 USD, if offered
- Procedure cost: 2500 to 8000 USD per eye
- Aftercare and follow ups: 500 to 2000 USD
- Complication treatment: Can escalate into tens of thousands of dollars
Factors That Affect the Cost of Eyeball Tattoo
The cost of sclera tattoo procedures is not fixed. Multiple variables influence how much someone ends up paying.
Key cost factors include:
- Practitioner experience and reputation: Highly experienced body modification artists charge more due to demand and perceived expertise.
- Geographic location: Costs are significantly higher in states where the procedure exists in legal gray areas or where fewer practitioners operate.
- Full sclera vs partial coverage: Tattooing the entire sclera costs more than limited or partial pigment application.
- Color choice and ink complexity: Some pigments require more precision, multiple injections, or longer sessions.
- Number of sessions required: Not all eyeball tattoos are completed in one sitting. Multiple sessions increase overall cost.
- Risk premium: Because of potential liability and complications, some practitioners price procedures higher to offset risk.
- Aftercare and medical oversight: Access to post procedure checkups or emergency care can increase the total expense.
- Complication readiness: Some providers factor in emergency protocols, medications, or referrals, which raises costs.
When people search for the cost of sclera tattoo procedures, they often underestimate how quickly expenses can escalate beyond the initial quote.
Cost of Eyeball Tattoos in the US: State Wise Overview (Indicative)
Note: The following table reflects estimated cost ranges based on availability, legality, and practitioner reports. Prices are indicative only and may vary widely. There is no officially verified national pricing standard for scleral tattooing.
| State | Legal Status / Availability | Estimated Cost Per Eye (USD) |
| California | Restricted, limited practitioners | $6,000 – $10,000 |
| New York | Highly restricted | $7,000 – $12,000 |
| Texas | Limited availability | $5,000 – $9,000 |
| Florida | Grey area, few providers | $4,500 – $8,500 |
| Nevada | More permissive | $3,500 – $7,000 |
| Arizona | Limited practitioners | $4,000 – $8,000 |
| Colorado | Restricted | $5,500 – $9,500 |
| Oregon | Grey area | $4,000 – $7,500 |
| Washington | Restricted | $5,500 – $9,000 |
| Illinois | Highly restricted | $6,500 – $11,000 |
Does Insurance Cover Eye Tattoos?
In almost all cases, no.
Eye tattooing is considered elective and cosmetic. Most insurance providers do not cover the procedure.
Insurance may cover medical treatment for complications, depending on the policy. Even then, claims are often disputed.
How to Finance Eye Tattoos
Despite the medical risks and lack of insurance coverage, some individuals actively look for ways to finance eye tattoo procedures.
Common financing approaches include:
- Personal savings: Many people self fund to avoid debt, especially given the elective nature of the procedure.
- Provider payment plans: Some practitioners offer installment based payment structures, though this is not always available.
- Medical credit cards: Certain credit providers allow financing for cosmetic or elective procedures, often with deferred interest terms.
- Buy now pay later options: Flexible BNPL solutions are increasingly used for elective treatments.
- Third party healthcare financing platforms: Industry leaders like Denefits offer patient friendly financing solutions that allow individuals to split large costs into manageable monthly payments.
Important considerations before financing:
- Financing reduces upfront cost, not medical risk
- Missed payments can impact credit scores
- Complication costs are often not included in financing plans
- Emergency medical treatment may require separate funding
When people explore how to finance eye tattoos, it is essential to consider long term financial impact alongside health risks.
When It Goes Wrong: A Real Life Case
One widely reported case involved severe complications following improper ink injections. The individual experienced inflammation, light sensitivity, and partial vision loss.
Doctors later confirmed ink migration inside the eye. Damage was permanent and corrective options were limited.
This is not rare. It is representative.
Potential Side Effects of Eye Tattoos
The risks associated with scleral tattooing are serious and often permanent.
Potential side effects include:
- Infections: The eye is highly sensitive. Even minor contamination can lead to severe infection.
- Chronic inflammation: Persistent redness, swelling, and irritation are common reported outcomes.
- Ink migration: Pigment can spread unpredictably within the eye, affecting internal structures.
- Light sensitivity: Many people experience long term discomfort in bright environments.
- Scarring of the sclera: Scar tissue can interfere with eye function and appearance.
- Vision distortion or loss: Damage to internal eye structures can impair vision permanently.
- Difficulty diagnosing future eye conditions: Pigmented sclera can make medical examination and disease detection harder.
- Permanent blindness: In severe cases, total vision loss has been reported.
Unlike skin tattoos, complications from eye tattoos cannot simply be corrected or covered up.
Alternatives to Getting an Eyeball Tattoo
If the goal is appearance rather than permanence, safer options exist.
• Colored contact lenses
• Scleral lenses
• Makeup or digital effects
• Tattoo of an eye on the skin
These options offer expression without risking vision.
Things to Keep in Mind
• This is permanent
• Medical risks are high
• Legal status varies
• Insurance rarely applies
• Vision loss is irreversible
Conclusion
Eye tattoos represent one of the most extreme forms of body modification. While tattooed eyes may seem bold or fascinating, the true cost extends far beyond money.
Understanding the risks, costs, and long term consequences is essential. Curiosity is natural. But vision is irreplaceable.
FAQs
1. Can you tattoo your eyes safely?
There is no medically approved safe method for scleral tattooing.
2. Do eyeball tattoos hurt?
Most people report significant discomfort or pain.
3. Is scleral tattoo legal in the US?
Legality varies by state.
4. How long does an eye tattoo last?
It is permanent.
5. How much does it cost to treat complications?
Treatment can cost anywhere from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
