Dr. Kerry Assil is on the leading edge of Iris Replacement Surgery for his patients who are either born without irises or who have suffered traumatic damage to the iris. The iris is the colored part of the eye.  It plays a critical role in the overall health of the eye because it regulates how much light enters the eye.

Tiny muscles attached to the iris cause the pupil to contract and dilate, depending on how much light is available.  When it is very bright outdoors, the pupil contracts, with the iris protecting the eye from too much light.  In low light situations, the pupils dilate, allowing as much available light possible to enter the eye, making it easier to see.

Iris Replacement Surgery as practiced by Dr. Assil is not a cosmetic procedure to change the color of one’s eyes.  Dr. Assil does not endorse, nor practice surgery to implant artificial lenses designed solely for the cosmetic purposes of changing eye color. He says that type of cosmetic surgery which requires a very large implant on top of the existing iris is dangerous and extremely vision threatening.