Are the eyes of different colors. Heterochromia of the eyes. Why can a person have a different eye color? Why do people have different eye color: the etiology and pathogenesis of heterochromia

Most often, we pay attention to the eyes when we meet someone. No wonder they are called the mirror of the soul. And, of course, we immediately notice their color. Unusual, bright iris shades always attract attention. We are used to the fact that the left and right eyes are the same color. But it happens that they are different, for example, brown and green.

Our iris has several basic colors: brown, gray, light blue, blue, green, black, olive, amber (hazel). The most common eye color on earth is brown, since it is carried by representatives of two large races that make up the main population of the planet - the Negroid and Mongoloid. The rarest color of the iris is green, found in only 2% of the inhabitants of the Earth. There are also variations such as turquoise or emerald. But there is another rare category of people who have eyes of different colors. These can be such options: blue and brown, green and gray, and others. This anomaly is called heterochromia, and it occurs in only 1% of the population.

What is eye heterochromia?

Heterochromia is a different color of the iris in the left and right eyes, or an inhomogeneous color of areas of the iris in one of them. Its tone is determined by the concentration and distribution of melanin in the anterior (mesodermal) layer. In the case of eye heterochromia, this pigment is either not enough, or, conversely, it is present in excess. In the overwhelming majority of cases, this is a congenital anomaly, and only sometimes (for example, in case of cataract disease, trauma to the organs of vision, hemorrhage in the tissue of the organs of vision, Fuchs syndrome and for other reasons) the pigmentation of melanin may be disturbed. Acquired heterochromia can be corrected with surgery, but congenital heterochromia cannot be cured. This disease also has various forms.

Types of eye heterochromia in humans

This pigmentation disorder also has several varieties that differ visually, and also have different causes and consequences.

Complete heterochromia

The most common type is when a person has two uniformly colored irises of different colors. The most common variations are a combination of hazel and green, hazel and blue. This is a congenital feature that does not pose a threat to the organs of vision. With her, a person sees as well as people with the same color eyes.

Sector heterochromia (partial)

It is caused by staining one of the eyes in different tones. With this form of iris heterochromia, there can be as many options as you like: in half, in quarters, there are wavy borders (a rare case). This is due to the uneven distribution of melanin during the formation of color in the first six months of life.

Central heterochromia

With this deviation, several clearly pronounced rings of different colors can be distinguished. It looks pretty original, and some do not even suspect that they have a rare iris pigmentation abnormality, proud of their unusual eyes.

Metallic heterochromia

A rare species caused by mechanical damage. It occurs when metal particles (bronze, copper) get into the upper layer of the iris or sclera. Such a foreign body several microns in size is insensitive to the eye. Over time, the iron element, being in a humid environment, begins to oxidize and leads to the formation of a pigment, usually a rusty green or light green hue. Even when the scale is removed, the phenomenon does not disappear. Usually this type of anomaly occurs in people associated with the production of metals.

Heterochromia in animals

Almost all fauna, except for birds and reptiles, is subject to this unusual phenomenon. Among domestic animals, it is found in black or white cats, in dogs only of certain breeds, for example, huskies or malamutes. Unlike heterochromia in humans, animals have only one type of this disorder - complete, sector or central absent.

How can heterochromia threaten eye health?

The amount of melanin in the iris, of course, cannot in any way affect the quality of vision. But there are times when the change in pigmentation is caused by any disease, for example, Fuchs syndrome (which can lead to the development of cataracts or glaucoma), siderosis or chalcosis (ingestion of copper salts in the iris). If you notice a change in its color, then this is a reason to consult a doctor to find out the reasons. This fact suggests that some kind of violation has occurred in the body's work, and this is only an indicator. With congenital heterochromia, nothing threatens the eyes.

Heterochromia of Human Eyes: How to Treat?

Let's say right away that if this anomaly is congenital, then it cannot be treated and corrected. With the help of the operation, it is possible to get rid of only the defect acquired due to some reason. In all other cases, there is a high probability that the color of the iris will be restored to you, but this, again, depends on the reason. With the above-mentioned metallic heterochromia, it will no longer be possible to correct it. Despite this, many people find such a feature even piquant and pride themselves on being different from the rest. Central heterochromia or sectorial looks especially unusual and interesting.

Many celebrities are also not shy about heterochromia. For example, Mila Kunis, Mila Jovovich, Demi Moore and other famous Hollywood stars have eyes of different colors and believe that this unusual fact to some extent even contributed to their popularity, attracting attention. For filming, they use means of contact vision correction, and the rest of the time they feel great.

Contact lenses for the correction of heterochromia

The easiest and safest method to correct this violation is to use modern decorative optics for this. Ophthalmic product manufacturers offer a huge range of contact tinted and colored lenses that can be used to hide this defect. Some people with complete heterochromia (for example, one eye is blue and the other brown) buy models of the desired colors and change the iris the way they want it. If, at the same time, a person has myopia or farsightedness, then he can purchase lenses with the appropriate diopters. If you have good vision, you can simply select the 0.00 option with zero power.

So, heterochromia - a congenital pigmentation disorder of the iris - does not threaten any health consequences if it is not the result of any internal diseases or mechanical damage. People with this ailment themselves have different attitudes towards it. Someone considers this a piquant feature and does not hide it, someone wears decorative lenses to hide different eyes. But congenital heterochromia of the iris membrane can be called rather a rare, unique gift from nature. Many people born with her are gifted, creative individuals, and the example above proves this.

Heterochromia (from the Greek heteros - "other", chromos - "color") is the difference in the colors of the left and right eyes, or the inhomogeneity of the color distribution in one eye. This is due to insufficient or excess melanin content in the iris of one eye compared to the other. Moreover, such an anomaly occurs in only 2% of the world's population.

The shade of the iris is formed immediately after the birth of the child during the first half of the year - this is the process of saturation of the eye iris with melanin, after a year to two years, a stable eye color is established. Moreover, the more hormone in the iris, the richer and darker the color. But melanin can be distributed unevenly in the eyes, which will cause the appearance of heterochromia.

Causes

In the vast majority of cases, the occurrence of eye heterochromia is caused by heredity, but there are also cases of occurrence after mechanical damage and diseases.

The main reasons include:

• Waardenburg's syndrome is an uneven distribution of melanin in the upper layer of the iris.
• Neurofibromatosis - arresting the distribution of melanin.
• Inflammation of a non-critical nature in only one eye.
• Traumatic lesions of the iris.
• Treatment of glaucoma or its presence in the shell.
• Finding foreign elements in the eye.
• A genetic or hereditary difference in eye color.
• Hemorrhage in the eyeball or sclera.

Who may have

Statistical studies of the issue made it possible to determine that the absolute number of heterochromic manifestations was found in women. But there is no scientific justification for the fact that gender is the cause of the phenomenon.

But it is in men that the heterochromia of the eyes is of the most interesting character. Atypical varieties are observed, which will be written below.

Varieties

In addition to the most typical type - simple, others stand out, characterizing more developed forms and abnormal manifestations of heterochromia.

Simple

The most common case of the phenomenon. Heterochromia occurs from birth and is not associated with other possible eye or vision disorders. It is expressed by the fact that one eye can be green (blue, gray), and the other must be brown in different shades. In addition to the genetic nature of the prerequisites, it can also be caused by the weakness of the cervical bundle of nerves. This condition is characterized by Horner's syndrome. Patients have astigmatism and or slight peripheral squint in the lighter eye.

Complicated

The main prerequisite for this phenomenon is Fuchs's syndrome, which is characterized by a strong inflammatory process in the upper layers of the iris and sclera. One eye is affected, and it is associated with a sharp drop in vision and "lightening" of color due to saturation of the eye with lymphatic compounds. It is difficult to diagnose the disease, it is practically not amenable to treatment. The main etymology of symptoms includes:

• An abrupt decrease in vision. That is, vision decreases in jerks over different periods of time.
• The lens becomes cloudy
• The iris is anemic.
• Cloudy formations appear in the iris, as if the iris becomes "speckled".
• Gradual blinding of the eye.

Acquired

Inflammation, swelling, swelling, or traumatic injury can lead to this type of anomaly. Overuse of chemicals and pharmacological agents can similarly harm the iris, changing its color to lighter shades from a burn.

Forms of heterochromia

It has been found that heterochromia can be acquired or present from birth. The phenomenon can be subdivided into various forms according to the color form and the location of the "color spot".

Full

The simplest case is complete heterochromia. A person has eyes of different colors, but anatomically and aesthetically, each eye individually is correct and without aberrations. The most common are brown and blue eyes paired.

Partial heterochromia

It is caused by staining one eye in different colors. The so-called sectorial heterochromia of the eye. The iris can be divided by flowers in half, in quarters, or have wavy borders, which is extremely rare. This is due to the uneven distribution of melanin even during the formation of color in the first six months of life. In this case, the iris may not have a color of water, but be, for example, brown-gray or green-brown.

Partial heterochromia can be observed in the period from six months to two years, and then the state of melanin distribution is normalized.

Central heterochromia

This form is most common in people with the phenomenon of eye color. Usually characterized by a change in the color of the iris of one eye. Most acceptable aesthetic appearance. It also happens that the color in the eyes spreads in rings around the pupil. This resembles the rainbow effect, when one eye has two rings of different colors, and the other eye is colored monotonously. There are no more than a dozen such people in the world.

Metallic

The most unique type, caused by mechanical damage. It often occurs in cases of damage to the eye with copper or bronze scale, but it can also be caused by the ingress of iron filings. Fine sawdust gets into the top layer of the iris or sclera. The sclera is not sensitive, and if there is no discomfort, then a few microns in size remains in the iris. When the scale is placed in the iris environment for a long time, which is a humid environment, it oxidizes and forms a pigment. This pigment causes the iris to become discolored by lesions. Usually the eye takes on a rusty green or light green hue. Removing the scale does not stop the anomaly. The pigment does not disappear from the eye.

Heterochromia in animals

The phenomenon is most common in animals, and species diversity is observed. Almost all fauna, except for birds and reptiles, can be subject to different coloration of the eyes.

• In cats, the case is detected when completely black, white or smoky color without color blotches. This is due to a genetic error in the formation of coat color. Since the color of a cat's coat and eyes is formed by the presence of melanin.
• In dogs, it is found only in polar dog breeds such as huskies or malamutes.

The only difference from humans is that the anomaly in animals is of a strict complete nature without sectors or areas.

Cause for concern?

The phenomenon itself is considered abnormal and atypical for the structure of the human eye, but at the same time, if it is not caused by disease or damage, then in itself it is not a cause for concern. In order to exclude all possible accompanying complications, a medical examination is a priority. It will be carried out with the aim of detecting hereditary diseases and abnormalities in the development of the body. For hereditary reasons, often a different eye color coexists with a gray strand of hair on the crown or forehead. A similar condition is observed when a person's skin is evenly covered with a coffee and milk stain or a focal coating. The sclera and iris of the eye are also covered.

You should also implement an appeal to the clinic with minimal damage to the eye with specks, scales or as a result of strong blows to the head and eyeballs. Concussion is the most common indication for examining the eyeball.

Diagnostics and treatment

It should be noted that the phenomenon itself cannot be characterized as a disease. But in order to identify the effect and causes, which may be of an outpatient nature, it is necessary to conduct a thorough examination by an ophthalmologist.

Types of ophthalmological examinations

• Biomicroscopy - This method uses a slit lamp. The object of the study is the shallow primary layer of the iris. With the help of highlighting, the structure of the iris can be examined for foreign bodies, inclusions, clots or damage. The primary method for identifying the prerequisites for heterochromia.
• - research aimed at studying the capillary system and the retina of the eye. During the procedure, there is no contact with the eye; a remote lens is used. With absolute accuracy, it allows the identification of cropped vessels and capillaries.
• Electrophysiological study (EPI) - allows you to effectively evaluate the state of the pupil, lens and identify the chemical balance of the vitreous body and iris by external signs. The primary judgment can be made about the amount of melanin in the eye. The eye is exposed to a point electrical impact in a thousandth of a percent of power. In this case, there is a thickening of the color or the identification of inclusions. When the crust is removed, the clots dissolve within a few minutes.
• Campimetry is the determination of the eye's response to different levels of light and color. The study is carried out using a special white screen. Color markers appear randomly on the screen, increasing and decreasing in brightness. At this point, there is an active study of the reaction of the iris and the pupil with the help of a lens. The fact is that eyes with different iris colors can perceive the color of the surrounding world in different ways. What is Dalton's syndrome. The method with absolute success allows you to diagnose glaucoma.

• Ultrasound examination of the eyeball () - if there is mechanical damage to the eye, then an ultrasound examination is performed. The method allows examining the eyeball from the inside and also the thin outer layers.

Outcomes

All research methodology can be used both separately and in aggregate. A comprehensive study is often carried out in order to more accurately determine the prerequisites and consequences of heterochromia.

Depending on the cause that led to the heterochrony, doctors prescribe adequate therapeutic or surgical treatment. Congenital pathology cannot be subject to medical correction, only colored contact lenses are applicable.

A person's eyes are the mirror of his soul. Some are blue and kind, green with cunning, burning and black, melancholic and gray, and some are heterochromated and multi-colored. All people are individual in their appearance, but only "healthy heterochromia" is an image of individuality, presented by nature itself. The main thing is to know that the anomaly of multi-colored eyes is not a reason for complexes and dissatisfaction with oneself.

One of the features of appearance that distinguishes a person from others is the color of the eyes, or rather, their iris. The most common is brown eye color, the rarest is green. But there is another rarity - these are people with different eye colors. This phenomenon is called heterochromia, but it occurs not only in humans, but also in animals. Heterochromia - what is it? What are the reasons for its occurrence? You will learn about all this from this article.

What is heterochromia?

Heterochromia - what is it? With this phenomenon, different pigmentation of the eyes can be observed in humans. It is no secret that the color of the iris is determined by the presence and distribution of a pigment called melanin. If this substance is in excess or deficiency, then this can provoke a different color of the eyes. Heterochromia can occur in only 1% of the population.

Causes

Heterochromia - what is it, you already understood, now let's figure out the reasons for this phenomenon. In most cases, it is hereditary, and it can also be provoked by diseases, injuries or syndromes. Eye color can sometimes change after some injury or illness.

So, consider the possible causes of eye color change:

• Neurofibromatosis.
• Mild inflammation that affects only one eye.
• Injury.
• Glaucoma or medications used to treat it.
• Foreign object in the eye.
• Hereditary (family) heterochromia.
• Hemorrhage (bleeding).

Who has it?

Heterochromia - what is it, a disease or a rare feature of the body? This phenomenon does not have any effect on the quality of vision, since a person is also able to perceive and see various shapes and colors, like people with the same eye color.

Statistics have shown that a different color of the iris is more typical for women than for men. Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence showing the relationship between gender and heterochromia.

The most common is central when the color change of the iris occurs towards the center.

In rare cases, heterochromia appears as a result of the development of pathological processes in the human body. In this case, this feature is considered as a symptom and the cause of its occurrence is treated, of course, after a thorough diagnosis.

Varieties

Depending on the causes of heterochromia, it is divided into three main types: simple, complicated and mechanical. Let's consider them in more detail.

Simple

This is the simplest variation of this phenomenon. At the same time, the person does not have other eye or systemic problems. In this case, a different color of the iris is observed in a person since his birth, and this in no way affects his health. However, this phenomenon is quite rare. It can be triggered by weakness of the cervical sympathetic nerve. In some patients, additional changes were recorded - displacement of the eyeball, discoloration of the skin, constriction of the pupil, as well as ptosis of the eyelids. Sometimes the weakness of the sympathetic nerve can lead to a decrease or even cessation of sweating on one side, which indicates the development of Horner's symptom.

Complicated

This type is a consequence of this pathological condition is manifested by the development of chronic damage to the choroid of the eyes. This ailment can develop in young people, in most cases only one eye is affected. This disease is almost impossible to diagnose. As a rule, Fuchs syndrome is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Decreased vision.
• Cataract.
• Dystrophy of the iris.
• Small floating formations of white color.
• Gradual decrease in vision.

Acquired

This form can be triggered by eye injuries, mechanical damage, tumor formations, inflammatory lesions. Also, such heterochromia in humans (photo below) can develop as a result of improper use of certain medicinal formulations.

Heterochromia of the eyes - forms

As mentioned above, this phenomenon can be both hereditary and acquired. Based on this information, according to the degree of coloring, three main forms can be distinguished - complete, sectorial and central heterochromia in humans.

Full

In this case, the irises of both eyes are painted in completely different colors, in other words, the person is endowed with eyes of completely different colors, and the color of the iris has different shades. The most famous is complete heterochromia, in which some eyes are blue and the other brown.

Partial heterochromia

With this shape, one eye is colored with two completely different colors. This variety is also called sector heterochromia. In the area of ​​the iris of the eye, several shades can be counted simultaneously. For example, against the background of the brown iris of the eye, there may be a spot of gray or blue color. It is this spot that indicates that when the color of the eyes began to form and finally set in the child after birth, the body did not have enough melanin pigment, and as a result, the iris was simply not completely colored.

Partial heterochromia in children is explained by the fact that all babies have gray-blue eyes at birth, which later, as a rule, change their shade. The formation of brown or darker eye color occurs later, moreover, this is possible only in one eye.

Central heterochromia

It is safe to say that this is the most common form of this phenomenon. In most cases, people do not even suspect that they have heterochromia, and are simply proud of their unusual eye color.

It is also worth noting that central heterochromia looks quite sophisticated. And if we say that the eyes are the mirror of the soul, they say a lot in people with this species. This form of heterochromia does not cause discomfort, but you should still see an ophthalmologist.

If you notice changes in the color of one or both eyes in yourself or in your child, it is advisable to consult a doctor. A careful eye examination will be required to make sure these changes are not a symptom of a serious illness or medical problem.

Certain syndromes and conditions associated with heterochromia, such as pigmentary glaucoma, can only be detected after careful examination.

A complete examination will help rule out many of the causes of heterochromia. In the absence of major upset, further checks may not be required. However, if concomitant ailments are found, the patient is prescribed therapy, depending on the diagnosis.

It can be laser surgery, steroid treatment, and if the lens becomes clouded, vitrectomy is prescribed. The choice of method is directly related to the causes of the disease.

It should also be noted that the color of the iris in both eyes with congenital heterochromia will never become the same. If this phenomenon is acquired in nature, then the restoration of the color of the iris is quite possible. Especially it rocks hitting cases

The eyes play a huge role in a person's appearance. Some people even wear lenses of a different color in order to radically change the image. But there are times when you don't need any lenses to get attention. You've probably noticed men and women with different eye colors. And if you wondered why people have different eye colors and what it means, we will be happy to answer it.

How human eye color is formed

Our genetics have only three pigments to shape eye color. Yellow, blue and brown help to compose all the shades that we can observe in nature. Some of these components are present in greater quantities, some in less - as a result, we see brown, gray, green, blue eyes. Almost always, they are completely the same in appearance, but there are also unusual options when the color is completely different. We hasten to assure you: this difference affects only the appearance of a person and nothing else.

Different eye colors: what is it called?

This phenomenon is so unusual that it was carefully studied by scientists and got its own name - heterochromia. Literally this word is translated as "another color". This feature occurs in ten people out of a thousand, but you should not think that it is striking in everyone. Heterochromia can be mild and noticeable only with careful eye comparison. Often, the sign is so weak that the person himself does not know about it. We see only what attracts attention - that is, the maximum differences.

Who can get heterochromia?

This phenomenon occurs in both men and women. But studies have shown that the latter are much more likely to have different eye colors. Let's count this as a plus, because many ladies want to be unique and inimitable. But heterochromia is not a privilege of human appearance. It also manifests itself in animals: dogs, cats, horses.

Are the eyes always perfectly asymmetrical in color?

It does not necessarily happen that one eye is specifically brown and the other is pure blue. This phenomenon is more mysterious and non-standard. One eye can have one color, and the second can include two at once, and the border will be contrasting and bright. This does not in any way affect the ability to see or perceive information. If a person did not know that he possesses such a feature, he would never even feel that something is wrong. Let's consider in more detail the types of discord.

Complete heterochromia

In this case, the eyes are endowed with separate colors, colored evenly. The contrast is usually quite strong. The most common combination in nature is blue and brown. Moreover, animals have exactly the same pattern. If you look at the photos on the Internet, it will become clear: other combinations are much less common.

Partial heterochromia

We have already talked about this phenomenon. It involves partial staining in the same eye. The iris can be half-colored, just have some spots or sectors - there is no regularity here either, it all depends on the creativity of nature. Another variant of the anomalous phenomenon is called sectorial.

Circular heterochromia

This is the rarest and most unique option. In this case, the iris is colored, as it were, with rings that are layered on top of each other. A person who has such a feature will definitely attract attention to himself - and in an era when everyone is striving for popularity, he may even make his zest as a part of PR.

Heredity

The simplest option is to get multi-colored eyes as a result of heredity. But this does not mean that such a trait will be transmitted from parents to children in the same family. Even among relatives, the phenomenon is most often unique, unusual. It's just that some kind of mutation occurred during the transfer of data, which became the cause of such a feature. But not everything is as happy as it might seem at once. The next factor is added to heredity, which must be taken into account.

Some diseases

Among the diseases that cause this phenomenon, one can distinguish: Horner's syndrome, type I neurofibromatosis, pigment dispersion, Waardenburg's syndrome, piebaldism, siderosis, brain tumor, melanoma, iridocyclitis. You can read about all these diseases on the Internet, but we do not recommend doing this - many people immediately begin to find symptoms in themselves that are not really relevant. The most correct approach is to go to the doctor, who will conduct the necessary research and will himself make a conclusion about whether it is worth worrying.

Eye injury

A person can get an eye injury in any circumstances - in everyday life, in an accident, in a fight, etc. In this case, a color change may also follow. Sometimes this is the only outcome of an unpleasant situation, which cannot but rejoice, because in other cases the consequences are even worse.

Can heterochromia be cured?

This phenomenon lends itself to treatment only when it appears as a result of the same injury or acquired disease. Then, in some cases, it is possible to restore the previous pigmentation if all negative factors are eliminated. When the phenomenon is hereditary and is the result of small disruptions in the genetic material, nothing can be done. But you shouldn't be upset about this either: eyes of different colors look very interesting, unusual and attract people's attention.

Eyes of different colors in people are increasingly common, regardless of gender and age. The cause of such an anomaly can be both trauma and a congenital feature.

Since ancient times, people with different eyes were considered dangerous to everyone around them. Legends and beliefs were formed about people with eyes of different colors. What signs and superstitions are known about people with unusual eye color?

Previously, people with different eye colors were considered children of the devil, since the devil was always depicted with one blue and one black eye. Women who gave birth to children with this trait were suspected of being associated with the devil.

It was also believed that people with different eye colors are capable of jinxing. They were called "eye-witted" and were feared. If a house or cattle burned down in the village, then all the accusations always fell on the owner of unusual eyes.

Today, when humanity has long ago moved away from superstition, people with different eyes are considered lucky. Still would! For several centuries they were exterminated, equating to sorcerers and witches, so it is a real success to preserve such inheritance!

Why do people have different eyes?

The phenomenon of multi-colored eyes in science is called heterochomy... Such a phenomenon cannot be called a disease or a magic sign. According to research by scientists, there is nothing mystical about people with different eye colors. It all depends on an overabundance or lack of melanin pigment in the iris, which is responsible for their color. Such a phenomenon does not in any way affect a person's visual ability, and have the same visual acuity as everyone else. Heterochomy can also occur during life due to eye trauma.

What does different eye color mean

People with different eye colors undoubtedly attract a lot of attention. It is easier for such people to stand out from the crowd, to find contact with people around them, or to impose a veil of secrecy on their own person. Many people believe that multi-colored eyes help you achieve your goal in life. There is also an opinion that people with different eye colors have a very developed intuition and are able to see through others.

Heterochomy is not limited to humans. This phenomenon is also common in cats. Having a cat with different eye colors is considered a good omen. Such an animal brings happiness to the house.

If you, your acquaintances, friends or your child have different eyes, then there is nothing dangerous to health. This is the zest that distinguishes a person from other people! Good luck and don’t forget to press the buttons and

10.12.2014 09:13

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