Heterochromia(from Greek ἕτερος - “different”, “different”, χρῶμα - color) - a different color of the iris of the right and left eyes or an uneven color of different parts of the iris of one eye. It is the result of a relative excess or deficiency of melanin (pigment). Heterochromia also refers to a different color of the skin or hairline.

Eye color, that is, the color of the irises, is determined primarily by the concentration and distribution of melanin. An eye affected by heterochromia may be hyperpigmented or hypopigmented.

In newborn children, the color of the eyes is often brighter than usual. The eye almost always fades with age. But sometimes it can retain color depth. This is a rare occurrence, but more common in complete heterochromia, although the chances of this phenomenon are still small.

Classification and causes

Heterochromia is classified primarily as either genetic or acquired. Although a distinction is often made between heterochromia of the eye: complete(Greek heterochromia iridis) and partial. At complete heterochromia the color of one iris is different from the color of the other. At partial heterochromia or sectoral heterochromia the color of one part of the iris is different from the color of the rest.

congenital heterochromia

It is usually inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.

• Simple heterochromia is a phenomenon characterized by the absence of other eye or systemic problems. Abnormally light eyes are usually considered as iris hypoplasia. It can manifest itself either completely or partially.
• Waardenburg syndrome
• Horner's syndrome
• Piebaldism - the presence on the skin of the limbs, face, and some other parts of the body of congenital white, completely devoid of melanocytes, spots; inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and due to various mutations
• Hirschsprung disease
• Bloch-Sulzberger Syndrome
• Parry-Romberg disease (Romberg syndrome)

Acquired heterochromia

Acquired, usually due to injury, inflammation, tumors, or the use of certain eye drops.

Abnormal darkening of the iris

• Corneal iron deposits Siderosis(deposition of iron in the tissues of the eye) and Hemosiderosis
• Certain eye drops that are used topically to lower intraocular pressure in people with glaucoma. Occurs due to stimulation of melanin synthesis in the iris
• Tumor
• iridocorneal endothelial syndrome

Abnormal illumination of the iris

• Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis - as a result of intraocular inflammation, atrophy of the iris occurs and heterochromia characteristic of this condition occurs
• Horner's syndrome - usually acquired due to neuroblastoma, but can also be congenital
• Melanoma can also cause iris lightening

In addition, heterochromia can be caused by Stilling-Turk-Duane syndrome, mosaicism, uveitis, juvenile xanthogranuloma, leukemia, and lymphoma.

Heterochromia in animals

Complete heterochromia

Heterochromia is more common in animals than in humans. It usually results in a blue color in one eye.

Eyes of different colors can be found in completely white cats or in cats with a large percentage of white in color, especially in breeds such as the Van cat and Turkish Angora. Cats with eyes of different colors are called odd-eyed. Odd-eyed cats have one eye that is orange, yellow, or green, and the other eye is blue.

According to legend, the favorite cat of the Prophet Muhammad - Muizza had eyes of different colors.

In domestic dogs, heterochromia is common in the Siberian Husky breed.

Horses with complete heterochromia usually have one brown eye and a second white, gray, or blue eye. Complete heterochromia is most common in pinto horses. It is also found among cows and Asian buffaloes.

Sectoral heterochromia

Sectoral heterochromia is common in Australian Shepherds, Huskies, and Border Collies.

Notable cases of heterochromia

Heterochromia is present in Kate Bosworth, Tim McIlroth, Mila Kunis, Alice Eve.

Among the literary examples of heterochromia are the books “Mages can do everything” (all magicians with innate abilities have eyes of different colors), “Four tankers and a dog” (in the book, tank commander Vasily Semyonov has different eyes), “White Guard” (Lieutenant Viktor Myshlaevsky) and The Master and Margarita (Woland) by Mikhail Bulgakov. In the literary series Ethnogenesis, heterochromia is used as an indicator that the heroes are wearing one or another magical artifact.

Many heroes of computer games, cartoons and anime have heterochromia.

Gallery

different eye color

The color of the eyes depends on the blood filling of the vessels of the iris and the amount of pigment contained in it. This thin diaphragm with a pupil is located in front of the lens and behind the cornea. The color of the pigment may indicate any disease in the body. For example, in diseases of the liver, the iris becomes yellow or brown. The natural color of pigments depends on genes and race. It can also be a characteristic feature of any nationality. There are only three pigment colors. It is brown, blue and yellow. The mixing of these pigments in the blood vessels determines the color of the eyes. For example, mixing blue and yellow gives a green color scheme.

different eye color

Sometimes there is an excess or deficiency of melanin in the iris. Then a phenomenon called heterochromia is possible, the manifestation of which is a different eye color. This condition occurs in both humans and animals. Most often, the color of one eye is brown, and the other is blue. But still, each person has his own, unique form of heterochromia. Such people look mysterious and unusual, standing out from the crowd.

Heterochromia happens:

1. Complete, when the colors of the irises of the eyes are different.

2. Partial, in which one pupil combines two colors.

Different color eyes in cats are no longer surprising. This phenomenon is familiar to us. Eyes of different colors in humans are much less common. Heterochromia can be congenital, resulting from an excess or lack of melanin. But there is also an acquired condition as a result of trauma, in people with tumors or glaucoma.

From a psychological point of view, people with different eye colors are considered extraordinary, unpredictable and fearless. However, they have egocentrism in a pronounced form. Requiring great attention to their personality, they like to be alone with themselves. As a result, they have a very narrow circle of close people.

Women with different eye colors always strive for perfection. They love to enjoy their appearance, considering it ideal. Possessing a delicate taste, they are fond of poetry, music, dancing and are great optimists.

People with different eye colors lead a measured lifestyle. Bright events are quite rare. But this is not disappointing. Thanks to their inexhaustible imagination and remarkable organizational skills, they can always arrange a holiday for themselves.

Women with different eye colors are always looking for their unique and unique. And only with him will they be wise and wonderful housewives, creating such comfort and coziness in the house that her husband can only be envied. But at the same time, these women will never forget to carefully monitor their appearance.

In such ladies, nature has an addiction to alcohol. But by virtue of their wisdom, they will easily defeat this craving. But if they try to smoke, they are unlikely to be able to quit.

When dealing with people with different eye colors, do not forget that they are very capricious and stubborn. It is unlikely that you will be able to emerge victorious in a dispute with them. They can even be rude in their desire to prove their case.

In dealing with such people, it is necessary to choose words carefully. They forgive quickly, but the resentment persists for a long time.

Heterochromia should not be taken as a disease or mutation. Different eye color does not affect health in any way. A person with heterochromia perceives the colors of the world around him absolutely normally and sees like an ordinary person.

Interesting and understandable: a person with different eye colors

First of all, it should be noted that such a phenomenon occurs in the animal world an order of magnitude more often than in the human world. For example, among cats of the Persian breed, a different eye color is considered a very common feature (usually one is bright orange, and the other is blue, which looks very unusual). A person with different eye colors can rightfully be proud of his peculiarity, because according to research, the nature of such individuals is unpredictable and impulsiveness. Often such people are fearless, like to surprise, impress. Among the shortcomings, a hypertrophied Ego can be noted: “Odd-eyed” are often fixated on themselves. They simply cannot live if others do not pay enough attention to their person. If your new acquaintance is a person with different eye colors, you can be sure that he loves loneliness and prefers to spend his free time in a narrow circle of close friends. Perhaps from the outside he looks stubborn and capricious, but as soon as you get to know him better, then make sure that this is not at all the case.

Women with different colored eyes

According to statistical studies, girls with eyes of different colors tend to be overweight. However, this does not prevent them from treating themselves with reverence: "odd-eyed" people love themselves and are determined to get the most out of life. They love holidays and entertainment and will never miss the opportunity to "shine". Another positive quality they have is patience. A woman with multi-colored eyes, most likely, will not complain about life for a long and tedious time; she would rather do anything to resolve an unpleasant situation. Most of them are creative people. Everything they put their hand to bears fruit. They sing, dance, draw, sew, knit - in all such areas, "odd-eyed" will succeed.

Marriage

A person with different eye colors is likely to be fickle in love. However, this only lasts until he meets his other half. Once this happens, your acquaintance will change so drastically that it will be difficult to recognize him. From now on, he will live only for the sake of his beloved being and will do everything to surround him with care and attention, to make his life as comfortable as possible.

Relationship with parents

If a child has eyes of different colors, you can rejoice: according to statistics, people with different colored eyes treat their parents very warmly, never conflict with them, and enjoy spending time with their families. They are touchy, but forgive easily and never harbor a grudge.

Causes of the phenomenon

Probably, every person with a different eye color wants to know about the reasons for his “feature”. By and large, there are two of them: the phenomenon can be congenital (and explained by genetics) and acquired (this indicates changes occurring in the body, most often unhealthy).

heterochrony

Any ophthalmologist will answer the question about the name of a different eye color: heterochrony. In most cases, it is caused by an excess or lack of melanin and accompanies diseases such as glaucoma or even a benign tumor. In addition, a change in eye pigmentation may be a reaction to medications.

Why do people have two different colored eyes?

I have seen people who have one eye green and the other yellow green, etc. why does this happen??

Leka

Heterochromia of the iris (heterochromia; hetero- + Greek chroma color, color; syn. heterophthalmos) - a different color of the iris of the right and left eyes or an uneven color of different parts of the iris of one eye.
People with eyes of different colors are called mosaics.
The different color is explained by the mutation of the embryo after fertilization of the egg. That is, a mutation in the blastula even before the formation of the endoderm. The earlier the mutation occurs, the brighter it manifests itself in appearance.
The owner of eyes of different colors has nothing to be afraid of - this does not mean any disease. It's just a game of nature. In some people and animals, although this phenomenon is quite rare, there are eyes of different colors. Despite the apparent asymmetry of the face caused by different eye colors, such animals and people may have features that distinguish them from other individuals, but with eyes of the same color.
It has recently been noticed that humans and animals with this multi-colored iris combination have some kind of "magical power" to attract the opposite sex of their species to them. For example, "odd-eyed" cats very easily achieve the attention of the person they are interested in. As for people, many who are familiar with odd-eyed people noted that they have some kind of "zest" and charm.
So, those who were born with multi-colored eyes should not despair, but use their natural external charm for their own purposes in order to achieve success in business and in their personal lives.
Here's a concrete example - David Bowie.

What if a person has different eyes?

*Kisunya*

"Heterochromia of the iris (heterochromia; hetero- + Greek chroma color, color; syn. heterophthalmos) - a different color of the iris of the right and left eyes or an uneven color of different parts of the iris of one eye. People whose eyes are of different colors are called mosaics.

It is the result of a relative excess or deficiency of melanin (pigment). Partial or sectoral heterochromia is less common than complete heterochromia, less than 4:1,000,000.

The different color is explained by the mutation of the embryo after fertilization of the egg. That is, a mutation in the blastula even before the formation of the endoderm. The earlier the mutation occurs, the brighter it manifests itself in appearance. The owner of eyes of different colors has nothing to be afraid of - this does not mean any disease. It's just a game of nature. In some people and animals, although this phenomenon is quite rare, there are eyes of different colors. Despite the apparent asymmetry of the face caused by different eye colors, such animals and people may have features that distinguish them from other individuals, but with eyes of the same color. For example, it has been noticed that "odd-eyed" cats very easily achieve the attention of the person they are interested in. As for people, many who are familiar with odd-eyed people noted that they have some kind of “zest” and charm.

If nature has endowed a person with a different shade of eyes (for example, one eye is green, the other is blue, or one eye is brown, the other is green), this phenomenon is known as heterochromia.

In ancient times, different eye colors were considered something mystical, otherworldly. Now, modern advances in medicine make it easy to explain this phenomenon.

Causes of different eye color

Researchers still cannot give an exact answer to the question of why heterochromia occurs.. The most common theory is that these are just features of individual development, an unusual natural phenomenon. However, the following reasons for this feature are distinguished:

• Congenital or simple form of heterochromia- when the eyes of a different color in a person, and other violations of the visual organ are not observed. This is a fairly rare form of anomaly. Heterochromia may not manifest itself immediately, but during the first two years of a child's life.
• Complicated heterochromia- often appears against the background of Fuchs syndrome. This pathology is characterized by damage to one eye, while heterochromia is weakly expressed or absent. The cause may be more dangerous conditions, for example, the development of a tumor process. In this case, the person will present other complaints;
• Acquired form- discoloration arose as a result of trauma, inflammation, tumors, irrational use of eye drops. A change in color can occur, for example, after the smallest particle of a metal enters the eye. Because of this, the iris becomes greenish, blue, brown or rusty.

The most commonplace cause of heterochromia, not associated with any diseases and injuries, is wearing colored contact lenses. The modern ophthalmic market is represented by a variety of lenses that can change not only the color of the iris, but the shape of the pupil.

Features of two-tone eyes

The frequency of heterochromia is approximately 10 cases per thousand. Its main reason is an excessively high or low content of coloring pigment. This substance is called melanin and is responsible for one or another shade of the human eye.

The color of the iris consists of several pigments: yellow, blue and brown. The shade of the eyes is determined by the proportion of these pigments. An interesting fact is that each individual has his own form of heterochromia, i.e. it is impossible to meet a person with identical manifestations of the anomaly. This is not a disease, but a unique feature of a person.

There are several types of heterochromia:

• Complete heterochromia- manifested by the fact that both eyes have a different shade. Most often there are people with various combinations of blue, there may also be one eye brown, the other blue;
• Sector or partial- the iris is painted with several contrasting colors. Most often there are combinations such as a combination of gray, blue and brown. Sometimes there is a blue color of the eyes with white patches. In most cases, this form of anomaly is caused by mechanical damage to the visual apparatus or a past disease;
• Central - the color of the iris is different in that several distinct multi-colored rings are distinguishable on it.

It is not necessary to treat heterochromia, since the anomaly does not affect the quality of visual function. Only in rare cases, a different eye color is a symptom of an ophthalmic pathology.

Famous people with heterochromia

Most often there are odd-eyed people with a complete type of heterochromia, but sometimes there are also persons with a partial form. There are not so many famous personalities with heterochromia.

Among them are composer Tim McIlroth, actress Jane Seymour, actress Olivia Wilde, athlete Ilya Kovalchuk, rock singer David Bowie, dancer Michael Flatley, boxer Jane Pulver.

Currently, there is almost no information about famous people from Russia or the CIS countries.

Animals with different eyes

Multi-colored eyes are found not only in humans, but also in animals. It should be noted that different eye color is most characteristic of certain breeds. Such animals include Husky dogs, Persian cat, Turkish Angorka breed cat, Border Collie dogs, Turkish Van cats, Australian Shepherd. This trend is most likely due to the fact that purebred cats and dogs are bred artificially, as a result of which various mutations occur.

In Turkey, Angora cats with different eye colors are considered the most valuable. This is the so-called "national decoration" of the country.

Useful video

The video provides more information on the topic of heterochromia anomaly and its features.

Vision is restored up to 90%

Poor vision significantly worsens the quality of life, makes it impossible to see the world as it is. Not to mention the progression of pathologies and complete blindness.

The color of the eyes of each person is a unique characteristic, which is determined by the degree of pigmentation of the iris. As a rule, both eyes have the same color at their disposal, but there is an abnormal pigmentation, which is called "eye heterochromia".

Such an anomaly can be passed down from generation to generation and appear only over time. Heterochromia is not always a unique eye decoration; it can be a symptom of some pathological processes. In general, this is a rather rare anomaly, occurring in only one percent of the world's population. In most cases, one eye is blue and the other is brown.

What is another name for heterochromia in ophthalmology? Experts call different eye colors in people piebaldism. In women, the anomaly is more common, although there are no anatomical and physiological prerequisites for this. So why do people have different eye colors?

Why do people have different eyes?

Piebaldism develops as a result of a lack or, conversely, an excess amount of melanin in the iris. The more melanin, the darker the eye, and the less, the lighter, respectively.

One of the harmless causes of piebaldism (the so-called discordance) is a genetic predisposition

Other reasons can provoke the appearance of an anomaly:

• fuchs syndrome. The disease is characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels in the eyes. The process causes blurred vision and deterioration of vision, up to complete loss;
• injury. Usually light eyes darken, acquiring a brown or green tint;
• neurofibromatosis;
• glaucoma;
• penetration of a foreign body;
• oncological processes: melanoma, neuroblastoma;
• hemorrhage;
• iris atrophy;
• siderosis - iron deposition occurs in the eyes;
• a side effect of certain medications, namely antiglaucoma drugs.

This is an acquired ophthalmic disorder, which is characterized by a unilateral lesion. Fuchs syndrome is characterized by a slow course of the inflammatory process in the iris. It is characterized by a change in periods of remission and relapse. Fuchs syndrome is more common in older people.

The disease proceeds slowly, and for a long time it is difficult to detect. An anomaly is usually discovered by chance, perceiving it as a birth defect. An important diagnostic symptom is the slow deterioration of vision in the affected eye and the appearance of floating opacities. The lens becomes cloudy over time, due to thinning, the iris becomes lighter. Perhaps even the development of secondary glaucoma. The affected eye becomes darker than the healthy one.

Fuchs syndrome causes noticeable nodules to appear on the iris. The appearance of spots may indicate the development of atrophic changes in the posterior pigment layer. As the pathological process progresses, the iris becomes faded and dull.

Fuchs syndrome threatens the development of glaucoma and cataracts

Fuchs syndrome does not cause pain, redness and swelling, which is why it goes unnoticed for a long time. The pathological process can be the result of a variety of reasons:

• inflammation inside the eyeball;
• neurodystrophy of the vessels of the eye;
• ocular toxoplasmosis.

Heterochromia can be corrected with colored lenses, and visual acuity with glasses. Conservative therapy includes the use of nootropic, angioprotective, vasodilators and vitamin complexes. Treatment should be aimed at activating trophic processes in the iris. Topical corticosteroids may also be given. In advanced stages, surgical intervention is used.

Prolonged stay in the eye of iron-containing objects can lead to the deposition of organic and inorganic salts. The iron fragment slowly dissolves and permeates the tissues of the eye. The first symptoms of sideriosis can be detected a few months after the introduction of the fragment. Treatment is to remove the foreign body.

Multi-colored eyes may be the result of siderosis

Neurofibromatosis

Signs of the pathological process appear in the first years of a child's life. Boys get sick much more often than girls. Neurofibromatosis may be accompanied by a deterioration in intelligence and the appearance of epileptic seizures. Patients develop spots on the skin of the color "coffee with milk".

Eye manifestations occur in twenty percent of cases and are sometimes the only manifestations of the pathological process. Symptoms largely depend on the location, size, and number of neurofibromatous nodes. In the conjunctiva of the eyelids, they look like cords; in the mucous membrane of the eyeball, neurofibromas look like individual beads.

Varieties

Depending on the causative factors, an anomaly in a person is of two types: acquired and congenital. If heterochromia is associated with damage to the iris, then it is divided into simple and complicated. Depending on the degree of staining of the iris:

• complete, when one eye is blue and the other is brown. In this case, the iris is colored evenly;
• sector, or partial. In this case, the iris has several shades. In the iris of one eye, areas painted in different colors are combined;
• central heterochromia. This means that the iris has several full color rings. This is the most common form in which pigmentation is impaired in the area around the pupil.

People with different eye colors continue to see and perceive colors absolutely normally.

Diagnosis and treatment of people with different eyes

Regardless of the patient's assumptions regarding the nature of the occurrence of heterochromia, the first stage of the treatment process is an appeal to a certified ophthalmologist. An anomaly can be a symptom of serious pathological processes that require early diagnosis and timely treatment. To detect pathological changes in the tissues of the eye, a laboratory and specialized examination is carried out.

If the ophthalmologist finds that the patient's eyes are of different colors, but the vision does not deteriorate and there are no other clinical symptoms, then treatment may not be prescribed at all.

If the eyes have become a different color due to ophthalmic diseases or a violation of the integrity of the iris, then treatment includes the use of steroid drugs. In some cases, the vitreous will need to be removed. Anti-inflammatory, miotic and antibacterial drugs can be prescribed as adjuvant therapy.

Have you met people with different eye colors? Sometimes this can be a hereditary feature of the patient, but in some cases this anomaly is associated with serious diseases that require the timely intervention of specialists. Do not self-medicate, contact a specialist and follow his recommendations.

Each of us at least once in our lives had to see a person of a different color of eyes. This attracted everyone's attention, as it seemed to be something anomalous. Is it some kind of disease? Why does this happen? Why do people have different eye colors? What is the name of such a phenomenon?

Everything is not as difficult as you think. This phenomenon can be called heterochromia. What is heterochromia? This is a scientific term. They call it a different color of the iris of the left or right eye, as well as its area, which arises from melanin deficiency or excess. Also, pigment changes can affect the color of the skin or hairline.

wonder people

The percentage of such people on the planet is extremely small. And most of all, women have different eyes in color. This played a cruel joke on them in ancient times.

It was mistakenly believed that people with different eye colors are sorcerers and sorceresses. They were persecuted, burned at the stake. But after a while, everything fell into place, since such a phenomenon was studied by scientists.

Causes of different eye color

Heterochromia is a disease during which the human body suffers from an insufficient amount or excess of melanin. This is the pigment responsible for coloring human tissue. There is complete and partial heterochromia, circular is even less common. The first is characterized by different eye colors, most often there is blue and brown. But with the second, a partial change in the color of the iris occurs, which is not immediately evident. The latter has different color rings that are clearly defined.

What causes heterochromia? You can already be born with it. It is inherited from relatives. This feature is not always manifested in every generation, breaks are possible. Sometimes very long. Then such a special child is born, and the parents cannot understand how this happened. Until someone from the family remembers that there were already relatives with different eye colors. Such an anomaly may be one of the symptoms of a completely different disease. Therefore, it is necessary to immediately examine such children with an ophthalmologist.

People have changes in the iris that are acquired throughout life. This is facilitated by injuries, tumors, or the use of drugs by people to treat diseases of the eye. It can be caused by other diseases. Among them: Waardenburg syndrome, Horner and Duane, lymphoma and melanoma, leukemia and brain tumor.

What are the forms of heterochromia

The disease can occur in three forms:

1. Simple. It can be provoked by weakness of the cervical sympathetic nerve or Horner and Waardenburg syndrome. In rare cases, it is congenital, while a person’s vision does not suffer in any way.
2. Complicated. It provokes Fuchs syndrome, it is difficult to diagnose. At the same time, the person begins to see worse. His lens becomes cloudy. Other eye diseases may develop.
3. Acquired. It is obtained with eye injuries, tumors and improper use of drugs. If iron particles get into the eye, then a person can get siderosis, and if copper, then chalcosis. These diseases will affect the change in eye color. It will become a rich green-blue or bright brown.

How is the treatment carried out

Usually, when the color of the eyes is different, there are no global changes in their work. Well, this is, of course, if there are no side effects. Visual acuity does not change. Therefore, it makes no sense to treat such an ailment. It is important to cure the associated diseases that led to it. Many people are concerned about the presence of a cosmetic defect, not everyone can put up with a change in their appearance. Contact lenses can help with this problem. They will reliably mask such a disadvantage.

In case of serious diseases, surgery, hormonal therapy, and a laser are used. The attending physician, based on the indications, will select the correct treatment.

Heterochromia is when a person has different eye colors. The difference in eye color in humans is caused by an excess or deficiency of the pigment - melanin. Such a rare phenomenon occurs not only in humans, but also in animals, such as cats. Once upon a time, people with different eye colors were considered the children of the devil, witches, that is, people associated with witchcraft or black magic. They caused fear in ordinary people, but it is now known that different eye colors are not tricks of supernatural power.

There are two types of heterochromia: the first is complete heterochromia, and the second is partial heterochromia. With complete heterochromia, the color of one iris is completely different from the color of the other iris. With partial heterochromia in a person, one part of the iris (eye) differs from the rest of the iris, that is, one eye has two colors. Most often, complete heterochromia occurs in humans, less often partial, in about 4 people out of 1 million. ,

Heterochromia is a mutation that occurs after fertilization of the egg. But you should not be afraid of heterochromia. It does not affect the health of a person who has different eye colors. A person with heterochromia sees and perceives colors in the same way as an ordinary person, but only he has his own individual zest. By the way, heterochromia is more common in women than among the stronger sex. It also happens that heterochromia becomes acquired. Due to an injury or illness (Hirschsprung's disease, Waardenburg's Syndrome), a person acquires a unique phenomenon.