A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

The spice begins to flow

Because neither Pauly or Josh was experiencing pain from their procedure, but I was having pain when focusing on objects close to me, at Howie‘s insistence I went in to see an ophthalmologist this morning to make sure there wasn’t a problem (wow do I appreciate universal healthcare!).

First I should say that the two doctors and various nurses treated me with respect the whole time and never hassled me about doing it. The first nurse and doctor checked out my eyes in general, giving me acuity tests and a general look-over, all of which was perfectly normal, although they still referred me to a specialist to be sure.

The specialist — who incidentally had just written a paper on corneal tattooing and was able to give me tons of information and some leads on doctors who might be cooperative in completing the process — confirmed that the damage to the surface of the eye was minor and should heal without complication. He also checked the pressure in each eye since there was a minor worry that the sclera had been compromised. Everything in those tests checked out fine as well.

A number of other tests and tons of closeup examination was done, and everything looks healthy and other than a brief “you really should have this done by a doctor” comment, they were supportive and assured me that I didn’t have anything to worry about (and that it’s safe to do in general terms). The pain that I’m experiencing appears to be related to a minor irritation of the muscle (so when I focus closely, which causes the eyes to pull to centre slightly, it hurts a bit) and I’ve been given a steroid eyedrop to speed that healing, although I was told it wasn’t really needed.

Above is my eye at about seventy-two hours (I’m a shoe-in for roles as a rotten-eye zombie!). Below is Josh‘s eye at about the same. He’s had by far the best results of the three of us at this point I believe, with an absolutely perfectly placed injection it seems.

I’ll be doing a medical follow-up in a week with the doctor, assuming I don’t update before then.

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Comments

168 responses to “The spice begins to flow”

  1. EternalLife Avatar

    I’m currently studying to become a dispensing optician, so this is all very interesting. Glad it’s going well!

  2. EternalLife Avatar

    I’m currently studying to become a dispensing optician, so this is all very interesting. Glad it’s going well!

  3. InKubus Avatar

    1st. It’s awesome to see you guys pushing the boundaries of body modification Shannon. It’ll be fascinating to see what this inspires others to do.

    Just hope that they consult medical staff before jumping in head first. Can’t wait till someone completely fills the white of their eye.

  4. InKubus Avatar

    1st. It’s awesome to see you guys pushing the boundaries of body modification Shannon. It’ll be fascinating to see what this inspires others to do.

    Just hope that they consult medical staff before jumping in head first. Can’t wait till someone completely fills the white of their eye.

  5. gabriel Avatar

    The sleeper must awaken!

  6. gabriel Avatar

    The sleeper must awaken!

  7. Tattoocity Avatar

    Happy to hear things are healing fine.

  8. Tattoocity Avatar

    Happy to hear things are healing fine.

  9. smurf Avatar

    It is always a treat to run across doctors and nurses who don’t berate people for their choices. It’s also nice to hear that you got information on people who might complete the process.

  10. smurf Avatar

    It is always a treat to run across doctors and nurses who don’t berate people for their choices. It’s also nice to hear that you got information on people who might complete the process.

  11. Nikkibunny Avatar

    Is Josh still losing quite a bit of dye? I’d be interested to know how much has leached out for all three of you…

  12. Nikkibunny Avatar

    Is Josh still losing quite a bit of dye? I’d be interested to know how much has leached out for all three of you…

  13. Matt Avatar
    Matt

    I was just curious as to what the future plans are for this. Do you guys just want a large blue spot in your eyes? Or is the plan to eventually try and color in all the white? If you went for totally blue eyes, that would awesome.

    Its also nice to know that the eye is a pretty quick healer. Anyone having laser eye surgery knows that you are usually good to go in about a week, you just have to be cautious for a month just in case.

  14. Matt Avatar
    Matt

    I was just curious as to what the future plans are for this. Do you guys just want a large blue spot in your eyes? Or is the plan to eventually try and color in all the white? If you went for totally blue eyes, that would awesome.

    Its also nice to know that the eye is a pretty quick healer. Anyone having laser eye surgery knows that you are usually good to go in about a week, you just have to be cautious for a month just in case.

  15. ENRIQUE LOPEZ Avatar
    ENRIQUE LOPEZ

    SORRY FOR THE QUESTION
    BUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEND I MEAN THE ENTIRE EYE IS GOING TO TURN INTO BLUE COLOR O IN SOMETIME IT WILL DISAPEAR.

    WHAT IS THE FINAL RESULT

    BYE
    ENRIQUE

  16. ENRIQUE LOPEZ Avatar
    ENRIQUE LOPEZ

    SORRY FOR THE QUESTION
    BUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEND I MEAN THE ENTIRE EYE IS GOING TO TURN INTO BLUE COLOR O IN SOMETIME IT WILL DISAPEAR.

    WHAT IS THE FINAL RESULT

    BYE
    ENRIQUE

  17. Viking In LaFleche Avatar

    It’s reassuring to know there are medical staff who are open minded enough to accept procedures such as this. I personally wouldn’t want anything like it but I’m encouraged that your not ridiculed or berated for attempting such a procedure. Keep up the good work. This whole sight is great.

  18. Viking In LaFleche Avatar

    It’s reassuring to know there are medical staff who are open minded enough to accept procedures such as this. I personally wouldn’t want anything like it but I’m encouraged that your not ridiculed or berated for attempting such a procedure. Keep up the good work. This whole sight is great.

  19. moddoctor Avatar

    Eyes heal amazingly fast. I am curious as to how colorfast these are going to be over time. Even hemorrhages in the subconjunctival space go away fairly quickly so it may be that the ink gets carried away as well. Time will tell.

  20. moddoctor Avatar

    Eyes heal amazingly fast. I am curious as to how colorfast these are going to be over time. Even hemorrhages in the subconjunctival space go away fairly quickly so it may be that the ink gets carried away as well. Time will tell.

  21. Giles Wallwork Avatar

    Am sending Josh a nailbrush in the post.

  22. Giles Wallwork Avatar

    Am sending Josh a nailbrush in the post.

  23. Fred Avatar
    Fred

    How long do you think it will take to get your eyes fully blue? Are the others in your group as committed as you?

  24. Fred Avatar
    Fred

    How long do you think it will take to get your eyes fully blue? Are the others in your group as committed as you?

  25. Sara Avatar
    Sara

    Glad to know everything is going alright. I don’t think I’d ever personally want to do this, but it is pretty amazing…hope it continues to go well.

  26. Sara Avatar
    Sara

    Glad to know everything is going alright. I don’t think I’d ever personally want to do this, but it is pretty amazing…hope it continues to go well.

  27. Pauly Unstoppable Avatar

    well if we can get my method to hold ill be trying for a sort of design

    the other 2 are for a full color wash of the eye

    i appear to still have the last dots we tried i am just waiting for the hemotoma to go away

  28. Pauly Unstoppable Avatar

    well if we can get my method to hold ill be trying for a sort of design

    the other 2 are for a full color wash of the eye

    i appear to still have the last dots we tried i am just waiting for the hemotoma to go away

  29. just me Avatar
    just me

    good

  30. just me Avatar
    just me

    good

  31. Fred Avatar
    Fred

    For the record, I know someone who got a pencil stuck in their eye and still has a visible black dot from the graphite that got into the hole.

  32. Fred Avatar
    Fred

    For the record, I know someone who got a pencil stuck in their eye and still has a visible black dot from the graphite that got into the hole.

  33. Fred Avatar
    Fred

    Oh, and it was almost 10 years ago.

  34. Fred Avatar
    Fred

    Oh, and it was almost 10 years ago.

  35. penski Avatar

    Very interesting and it sounds rather positive as a whole so far.

    As an aside, my gf works in laser surgery and was initially of the ‘ZOMGZWTFZ!!!!!!!!!1′ attitude. now she has had time to think about it, she is quite intrigued.

    *n

  36. penski Avatar

    Very interesting and it sounds rather positive as a whole so far.

    As an aside, my gf works in laser surgery and was initially of the ‘ZOMGZWTFZ!!!!!!!!!1′ attitude. now she has had time to think about it, she is quite intrigued.

    *n

  37. Mars Avatar

    This is really fascinating! I know this is something you (Shannon) have been interested in for a long time, but I thought it would be a long time until anyone was ready to do it. I just hope less experienced people don’t go out and try this themselves. From what I’ve read about eyeball tattooing done in the past, it’s fairly safe when done properly, but it would be so easy for this to go horribly wrong. I really can’t wait to see what all of your eyes will look like when you are fully healed!

  38. Mars Avatar

    This is really fascinating! I know this is something you (Shannon) have been interested in for a long time, but I thought it would be a long time until anyone was ready to do it. I just hope less experienced people don’t go out and try this themselves. From what I’ve read about eyeball tattooing done in the past, it’s fairly safe when done properly, but it would be so easy for this to go horribly wrong. I really can’t wait to see what all of your eyes will look like when you are fully healed!

  39. ModifiedPerson Avatar
    ModifiedPerson

    When I first read about this procedure, my reaction was “that’s dodgy”.
    At the time I thought it would result in problems that would require
    a visit to the doctor (granted I didn’t do any research on eyeball
    tattooing). I think we owe each other a special duty to manage risk
    given the tax-supported public healthcare system. I would extend this
    to smoking as well but one ought to determine the sensibility of an act
    apart from the acts of others – it’s not a comparative thing. At least
    under private healthcare systems you can disclose your activiites
    (e.g. smoking) and be charged a premium appropriate to your lifestyle,
    which somewhat diminishes the externality associated with taking risks.
    Food for thought.

    I’m glad the healthcare providers didn’t show you any prejudice in
    your treatment, BTW.

  40. ModifiedPerson Avatar
    ModifiedPerson

    When I first read about this procedure, my reaction was “that’s dodgy”.
    At the time I thought it would result in problems that would require
    a visit to the doctor (granted I didn’t do any research on eyeball
    tattooing). I think we owe each other a special duty to manage risk
    given the tax-supported public healthcare system. I would extend this
    to smoking as well but one ought to determine the sensibility of an act
    apart from the acts of others – it’s not a comparative thing. At least
    under private healthcare systems you can disclose your activiites
    (e.g. smoking) and be charged a premium appropriate to your lifestyle,
    which somewhat diminishes the externality associated with taking risks.
    Food for thought.

    I’m glad the healthcare providers didn’t show you any prejudice in
    your treatment, BTW.

  41. MissAmbrose Avatar

    Looks hella good

  42. MissAmbrose Avatar

    Looks hella good

  43. Amber Avatar

    Very cool, it’s always refreshing to see people pushing the boundaries. Although it’s not something I think I could personally do (I have irrational fear of things going near my eyes) it’s still pretty effin’ cool.

    And I have to agree with Giles (#11), someone get that man a nail cleaner!!

  44. Amber Avatar

    Very cool, it’s always refreshing to see people pushing the boundaries. Although it’s not something I think I could personally do (I have irrational fear of things going near my eyes) it’s still pretty effin’ cool.

    And I have to agree with Giles (#11), someone get that man a nail cleaner!!

  45. FaustVIII Avatar
    FaustVIII

    Very nice to know you´re ok, and very good to know that the doctors and nurses treated you well.
    I´m really interested to see Pauly´s eye, since he got a diferent procedure. I assume you don’t post his photos cause there´s nothing to see, due to the hemotoma. Is it right?

    All the best!

  46. FaustVIII Avatar
    FaustVIII

    Very nice to know you´re ok, and very good to know that the doctors and nurses treated you well.
    I´m really interested to see Pauly´s eye, since he got a diferent procedure. I assume you don’t post his photos cause there´s nothing to see, due to the hemotoma. Is it right?

    All the best!

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