They got tattoos when they were young, then the vision problems started

Added: 2026-05-07

[00:00:00]I went to school and I was like, "Guys, I'm getting a tattoo. I'm I'm so excited."

[00:00:05]>> Elicia Thompson of Ashawa was 15 when she got her first tattoo. And over the years, she's added many more.

[00:00:11]>> After that, it was a snowball effect. I just kept getting more and more tattoos.

[00:00:15]>> In her early 20s, she noticed her tattoos would become inflamed and painful. Then she started to develop eyesight issues.

[00:00:22]>> My eyes would be crusted right over and they would be red. I would have to put on sunglasses. Thompson was diagnosed with tattoo associated uvitis. Her immune system was reacting to the tattoo ink causing eye pain, light sensitivity, and vision loss.

[00:00:39]>> I have no vision in my center vision in my right eye.

[00:00:44]>> My wrist here, some symbols.

[00:00:46]>> Zachary Adamowski Sizens of Thunder Bay has tattoos and says when he was 20 years old, he developed eyesight problems.

[00:00:54]>> I started having issues with my right eye. It started to become red and inflamed. Um, it became a little I couldn't open it.

[00:01:02]>> He also has tattoo associated uvitis and requires ongoing treatment.

[00:01:07]>> I can't get more tattoos.

[00:01:09]>> About onethird of Canadians have at least one tattoo. That's more than 13 million people. Researchers say if you have a tattoo, you should not be alarmed by the study, saying tattoo related vision loss is extremely rare. But a recent Australian study suggests the condition can't be ignored. We spoke with Dr. Josephine Richardson, Australia, who was part of the research.

[00:01:31]She was shocked that 40 cases of tattoo associated uvitis were identified there and says other health care professionals need to be aware of it.

[00:01:40]>> If they know about it, then they can look it up and they will see that it is quite a serious problem.

[00:01:46]>> Well, I've read about it, but my first patient was over 10 years ago.

[00:01:50]>> Dr. Dr. Newrabaki is a uvitis specialist at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto.

[00:01:55]She says while the condition is rare, more cases are showing up in Canada and there are signs to watch out for.

[00:02:02]>> The tattoo is raised, the tattoo is swollen, there's a bumps around the tattoo and they also have inflammation inside their eye.

[00:02:10]>> There are some concerns about the type of tattoo ink being used. According to Health Canada, tattoo inks are subject to Health Canada's cosmetic regulations under the Food and Drugs Act. It is the responsibility of the manufacturer or importer to ensure the product they are selling is safe.

[00:02:27]>> I think the main thing to keep in mind is have your tattoo at a reputed salon with, you know, an artist of good reputation. Uh if possible, perhaps find out what pigments are used just so that you have that for your own records.

[00:02:40]>> Dr. back. She says researchers here plan to compile their own data on the number of Canadians with the condition.

[00:02:46]>> Even just speaking with other colleagues in Toronto, between us, we have over 10 to 15 cases just within our city.

[00:02:53]>> Thompson agrees more study is needed and wants answers. So, I feel like there does need to be more research that people are more informed on what kind of ingredients are being used inside of the tattoo ink.