Getting a piercing can be a way to adorn your body nonpermanently.
As long as you visit a safe, reputable piercing studio, most body piercings shouldnt produce ill-effects.
However, some piercings around the eye come with additional risks.
Getty Images /Ryan McVay
Learn more about the different types and what complications might occur.
Getty Images /Ryan McVay
Types of Eye Piercing
Several different types of piercings involve the eye area.
The direction and placement of the needle will depend on the chosen location of the piercing.
Proper Care for Eyebrow Piercing
Eyebrow piercings take about six to eight weeks to heal.
Aftercare involves preventing infection and encouraging speedy healing.
ensure to:
These aftercare instructions apply to most dermal piercings.
If youre ever in doubt, ask your piercing professional.
However, some complications are still possible.
In some cases, an infected eyebrow piercing may still affect the eye.
A piercer may use a clamp for easier access to the eyelid.
Your piercer will provide you with instructions on how to care for your eyelid piercing.
The usual sanitary guidelines apply.
You should also rinse the area with a saline solutionsince regular soap would irritate your eye.
Because of the proximity to the eye, there are many possible complications with this punch in of piercing.
The jewelry might irritate or scratch the eyeball.
Eye damage can also occur during the piercing process.
Theres also a high risk of infection, which can lead toabscess formation.
It’s easy to snag certain types of piercings on clothing or towels.
Eyelid piercings are no exception.
Tearing the skin on the ear is painful, but lacerating an eyelid may be excruciating.
Jewelry that’s too large may cause pain if there’s swelling during the healing process, for example.
Eyeball
Your local piercing studio probably wont agree to pierce your eyeball.
But that doesn’t mean this sci-fi-sounding piercing isnt real.
Most other eye-related piercings aren’t as extreme, though.
It can be painful, but the process is typically quick and over before you know it.
Most of the time, piercings heal without issue.
Some piercings, though, are inherently dangerous.
Piercing your eyelid or eyeball is not something you want to do without heavily considering the potential risks.
Holbrook, J, et al.Body piercing.Am J Dermatol.
2012;13:1-17. doi: https://doi.org/10.2165/11593220-000000000-00000
Center for Young Womens Health.Body piercing.
Horle S, Kuba GB.Complications following eyebrow piercing.Ophthalmologe.
2002;99(3):200-202. doi:10.1007/s003470100530
The Association of Professional Piercers.Jewelry for initial piercings.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Academy warns consumers of the dangers of eyeball jewelry.
The Association of Professional Piercers.Aftercare.
