A young woman has undergone an extreme and dangerous body modification procedure, tattooing her eyeballs in a dramatic transformation that she believes has fundamentally changed her life for the better.
The Risky Five-Minute Procedure
Aurora Arena, aged 28, decided to have her eyeballs tattooed in a procedure that took just five minutes to complete. This involved having four injections per eye of tattoo ink diluted with water directly into the white portion of her eyes, known medically as scleral pigmentation.
She was fully aware of the extreme risks involved, acknowledging that the procedure must be performed perfectly to avoid permanent blindness. "Eyeball tattoos are four injections per eye of tattoo ink diluted with water. It must be done perfectly or else you will go blind," Aurora explained about the dangerous body modification.
A Dramatic Physical Transformation
The result has dramatically altered Aurora's appearance, with the young woman herself acknowledging that she now resembles a "fish" due to the distinctive look created by the coloured sclera. Despite this unusual comparison, she expresses absolute delight with the outcome of her eyeball tattoos.
"I love my eyeball tattoos and I love that they drive intolerant, judgmental people away from me," Aurora remarked about the social impact of her dramatic eye modification.
Personal Healing Through Extreme Modification
For Aurora, who has struggled with depression, the eyeball tattoos represent more than just a physical transformation. She credits the procedure with helping her heal emotionally and transform her life in positive ways.
"I did it to heal, and I don't regret a thing. I looked in the mirror and I looked so weird. I loved it," she stated about the moment she first saw her tattooed eyes.
Mixed Reactions From Online Observers
After sharing images of her eyeball modification online, Aurora received numerous responses from admirers who praised her distinctive new appearance. One person commented: "I wish my eyes looked like this." Another observer gushed: "You do look like a fish. That's so fun."
However, not all reactions were positive, with some expressing concern about potential future regrets. One sceptic questioned: "I mean some day you might regret that, who knows?" highlighting the permanent nature of the modification.
The Serious Dangers of Eyeball Tattoos
Medical professionals strongly advise against getting eyeball tattoos due to the extreme risks involved with scleral pigmentation procedures. The dangers include:
- Risk of serious infection from the injection procedure
- Potential for ink migration within the eye structure
- Inflammation and allergic reactions to the tattoo ink
- Most alarmingly, permanent blindness if ink is injected too deeply
When ink penetrates the eye's interior, it can harm the retina or other vital structures, potentially leading to irreversible vision loss. There have been numerous documented cases of this occurring, including Australia's most tattooed woman, Amber Luke, who lost her sight for three weeks following her eye inking procedure.
Important Health Considerations
While Aurora Arena reports positive psychological benefits from her eyeball tattoos, medical experts emphasise that such extreme body modifications carry unacceptable risks for most people. The procedure remains controversial within both medical and body modification communities due to the potential for catastrophic outcomes.
For those struggling with depression or mental health challenges, professionals recommend seeking support from a GP or mental health specialist rather than pursuing risky physical modifications. Support services like Samaritans' 24-hour helpline on 116 123 provide confidential assistance for those in emotional distress.
