03/21/2026
A new documentary on Netflix , Caterpillar, Uncovers the Perils of Cosmetic Eye Color Surgery 👁️
The documentary Caterpillar (dir. Liza Mandelup) follows a man pursuing eye color change through artificial iris implants—a procedure not FDA-approved in the U.S. and associated with significant risk.
But this isn’t really a story about eyes.
It’s about identity, perception, and the powerful (and often dangerous) belief that changing how we look will change how we feel.
👉 He travels abroad for surgery
👉 Agrees to promote the procedure to afford it
👉 Experiences complications (pain, photophobia, uncertainty)
👉 Ultimately realizes the transformation didn’t solve the underlying issue
From an ophthalmology perspective, this is a stark reminder:
⚠️ Artificial iris implants for cosmetic purposes carry real risks — glaucoma, corneal decompensation, chronic inflammation, vision loss
⚠️ Many of these procedures exist in regulatory gray zones outside the U.S.
⚠️ Patients are often driven by deeply personal, psychological motivations—not just aesthetics
As surgeons, we don’t just operate—we help patients navigate why they want change in the first place.
Sometimes the most important intervention isn’t surgical.
It’s a conversation.
Never a better time to getoutofglasses.com with California LASIK & Eye ! Call us at 805-GET-2020 or schedule online today.
