Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes and SymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types and Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Heterochromiais the medical term for having two different coloredirises(the colored part of the eye) or having different colors within one iris. The first type is called complete heterochromia; the second is called sectoral heterochromia.
This article describes the different types and causes of heterochromia. It also explains what is involved in the diagnosis and whether or not treatment is needed.
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Types and Symptoms of Heterochromia
The only symptom of heterochromia is a difference in eye colors. Someone may, however, have other symptoms if their heterochromia stems from an underlying condition.
The extent of the difference in eye colors can differ. To reflect this, heterochromia is classified in different ways.
A Word From VerywellIris heterochromia is a condition in which a person has two different colored eyes. Although a large proportion of cases are the result of genetic mutation, heterochromia can also result from congenital disease or other ocular or systemic disorders. In these cases, further evaluation with an ophthalmologist is warranted.—CHRISTINE L. LARSEN, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Iris heterochromia is a condition in which a person has two different colored eyes. Although a large proportion of cases are the result of genetic mutation, heterochromia can also result from congenital disease or other ocular or systemic disorders. In these cases, further evaluation with an ophthalmologist is warranted.—CHRISTINE L. LARSEN, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Iris heterochromia is a condition in which a person has two different colored eyes. Although a large proportion of cases are the result of genetic mutation, heterochromia can also result from congenital disease or other ocular or systemic disorders. In these cases, further evaluation with an ophthalmologist is warranted.
—CHRISTINE L. LARSEN, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
What Causes Heterochromia?
In the majority of cases, heterochromia occurs randomly. Most people born with heterochromia do not have any other health problems or symptoms. In rare cases, it is a symptom of anothercongenital(present from birth) disease.
It is also possible to develop heterochromia later In life due to a new, underlying condition, an eye injury or surgery, or even the use of certain medications.
If you’re born with heterochromia, or it develops soon after your birth, it’s calledcongenital heterochromia. Heterochromia that develops later in life is calledacquired heterochromia.
Congenital Heterochromia
Some of the congenital diseases that can cause heterochromia include:
Acquired Heterochromia
Any of the following could cause heterochromia to develop in those who were not born with it:
There are generally no risk factors associated with heterochromia, and it is not in itself an inherited disease. However, it is possible to have heterochromia because of inherited diseases like Waardenburg syndrome and piebaldism.
Heterochromia affects fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. It is much more common in animals.
If your eye doctor suspects that the heterochromia is a symptom of another disease, you may be referred to a healthcare provider who treats that condition. Further investigation may involve blood tests, imaging tests, and genetic tests.
What to Expect From an Eye Exam
Does Heterochromia Need Treatment?
However, if you want both your eyes to be the same color, you may want to speak to your eye care professional about getting custom-made contact lenses to make your eyes match.
If your heterochromia is a result of an underlying disease or injury, those will need to be treated.
Summary
When a person has two different colored eyes, or one eye that is multi-colored, this is known as heterochromia. Heterochromia most frequently occurs at birth as the result of a random genetic mutation. In this case, it requires no treatment. Heterochromia can also be a symptom of a congenital condition or the result of an illness or injury, in which case the underlying condition will need to be treated.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Heterochromia.Tomar M, Dhiman R, Sharma G, Yadav N.Artistic Iris: A case of congenital sectoral heterochromia iridis.J Ophthalmic Vis Res. 2018 Jul-Sep;13(3):359-360. doi:10.4103/jovr.jovr_91_17Kumawat D, Kumar D, Sahay P, et. al.Bilateral asymmetrical partial heterochromia of iris and fundus in Waardenburg syndrome type 2A with a novelMITFgene mutation.Indian Journal of Ophthalmology67(9):p 1481-1483, September 2019. doi:10.4103/ijo.IJO_181_19Jeyasakthy S.Heterochromia iridis: More than beautiful eyes.Postgraduate Medical Journal, Volume 96, Issue 1141, November 2020, Page 721. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-137621Rehman H.Heterochromia.Can Med Assoc J. 2008;179(5):447-448. doi:10.1503/cmaj.070497
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Heterochromia.Tomar M, Dhiman R, Sharma G, Yadav N.Artistic Iris: A case of congenital sectoral heterochromia iridis.J Ophthalmic Vis Res. 2018 Jul-Sep;13(3):359-360. doi:10.4103/jovr.jovr_91_17Kumawat D, Kumar D, Sahay P, et. al.Bilateral asymmetrical partial heterochromia of iris and fundus in Waardenburg syndrome type 2A with a novelMITFgene mutation.Indian Journal of Ophthalmology67(9):p 1481-1483, September 2019. doi:10.4103/ijo.IJO_181_19Jeyasakthy S.Heterochromia iridis: More than beautiful eyes.Postgraduate Medical Journal, Volume 96, Issue 1141, November 2020, Page 721. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-137621Rehman H.Heterochromia.Can Med Assoc J. 2008;179(5):447-448. doi:10.1503/cmaj.070497
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Heterochromia.Tomar M, Dhiman R, Sharma G, Yadav N.Artistic Iris: A case of congenital sectoral heterochromia iridis.J Ophthalmic Vis Res. 2018 Jul-Sep;13(3):359-360. doi:10.4103/jovr.jovr_91_17Kumawat D, Kumar D, Sahay P, et. al.Bilateral asymmetrical partial heterochromia of iris and fundus in Waardenburg syndrome type 2A with a novelMITFgene mutation.Indian Journal of Ophthalmology67(9):p 1481-1483, September 2019. doi:10.4103/ijo.IJO_181_19Jeyasakthy S.Heterochromia iridis: More than beautiful eyes.Postgraduate Medical Journal, Volume 96, Issue 1141, November 2020, Page 721. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-137621Rehman H.Heterochromia.Can Med Assoc J. 2008;179(5):447-448. doi:10.1503/cmaj.070497
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Heterochromia.
Tomar M, Dhiman R, Sharma G, Yadav N.Artistic Iris: A case of congenital sectoral heterochromia iridis.J Ophthalmic Vis Res. 2018 Jul-Sep;13(3):359-360. doi:10.4103/jovr.jovr_91_17
Kumawat D, Kumar D, Sahay P, et. al.Bilateral asymmetrical partial heterochromia of iris and fundus in Waardenburg syndrome type 2A with a novelMITFgene mutation.Indian Journal of Ophthalmology67(9):p 1481-1483, September 2019. doi:10.4103/ijo.IJO_181_19
Jeyasakthy S.Heterochromia iridis: More than beautiful eyes.Postgraduate Medical Journal, Volume 96, Issue 1141, November 2020, Page 721. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-137621
Rehman H.Heterochromia.Can Med Assoc J. 2008;179(5):447-448. doi:10.1503/cmaj.070497
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