Image: www.ptceyecenter.com
July 12th is National Different Colored Eye Day.
In ancient Greek heteros meaning different and chroma meaning color so Heterochromia is a different color.
Heterochromia is a difference in coloration of two anatomical structures or two parts of the same structure that are normally alike in color such as eyes. The iris of people with heterochromia is two different colors. Heterochromia is a unique condition where someone has different colored eyes, or their eyes show a mixing of colors.
In most cases, heterochromia is the result of genetics. It is caused by a benign mutation, affecting the way melanin develops in the irises. Only 6 people in 1,000 have this mutation.
There are 3 types of heterochromia
- Complete-eyes that are completely different colors.
- Segmental-different parts of the iris are different colors.
- Central- is when the outer ring of your iris is different colors.
Heterochromia is usually genetic, but can be acquired later in life causes can include:
- Diabetes
- Eye surgery
- Glaucoma
- Injury to the eye
- Iris ectropion syndrome
- Pigment dispersion syndrome
- Swelling of the eye
- Tumor of the iris
People who acquire heterochromia or see changes in genetic heterochromia should seek an eye care physician, to rule out other medical conditions.
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