One eye green, the other blue, one brown, the other hazelnut… The eyes can sometimes be of two different colors. This is called heterochromia or in common parlance, odd eyes.
One eye green, the other blue, one brown, the other hazel… In some cases, the eyes can be two different colors. This is what is called in medical parlance heterochromiaor in common parlance, mismatched eyes. Heterochromia can be complete or partial, congenital or acquired. What causes heterochromia? A sickness ? Does it have an impact on vision?
What is the definition of heterochromia?
“Heterochromia is what is commonly called “mismatched eyes” (which is not a medical term), in other words, not having both eyes the same color“, defines from the outset Pr Antoine Brézin, professor of ophthalmology at the faculty of medicine of the University of Paris-Cité, head of the Ophthalmology department of the Cochin Hospital and author of the book Understanding and caring for your eyes (Editions of the deer).
What is complete heterochromia?
Heterochromia can be complete when a person has one eye of one color and one eye of another color (a green iris and a blue iris, a brown iris and a hazel iris, for example).
What is partial (or sectoral) heterochromia?
Heterochromia is said to be “partial” when there is different colors within the same iris (a blue iris with a brown zone for example). Heterochromia is partial can result from the presence of moles (nevus) on the iris. “A mole on the iris gives it a slightly browner appearanceeye“, specifies our specialist.
What is central heterochromia?
“Central heterochromia does not exist since in the center of the iris is the pupil“, wishes to restore our interlocutor.
What causes heterochromia?
Heterochromia can be congenital, that is, the person is simply born with it. Heterochromia can also be acquired, when it is caused in particular by the presence of moles (nevus) on the iris (whose number increases with age). “Takingprostaglandin analogues, drugs that are part of the treatments offered to treat glaucoma, can change the color of the iris. Finally, a very rare pathology of the eye called “heterochromic cyclite of Fuchs” is characterized by inflammation in the eye and by the different coloring of the two irises“, lists Professor Brézin.
What are the “symptoms” of heterochromia?
Since heterochromia is not a disease, one cannot speak of symptoms. Heterochromia is simply characterized by a color difference between the two irises in the case of complete heterochromia and by the presence of two different colors within the same iris in the case of partial heterochromia.
What are the consequences of heterochromia on vision?
“On vision as well as on eye health, having two different colored irises has no no consequence. In some people, it may have psychological repercussions (complex), but it remains ultimately very rare. Most people accept their heterochromia and feel no discomfort“, says our expert. For people who suffer from a physical complex, wearing lentils of colors can be considered.
Is there support for heterochromia?
There is no treatment for heterochromia, except in the very specific case of heterochromic Fuchs cyclitis.
Thank you to Pr Antoine Brézin, professor of ophthalmology at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Paris-Cité, head of the Ophthalmology department at the Cochin Hospital and author of the book Understanding and caring for your eyes (Editions du Cerf).