Heterochromia is having different-colored eyes
What is heterochromia?
Heterochromia is when someone has more than one eye color. In many cases, this means each eye is a different color. For example, one eye is brown and the other eye is green. It can also mean there are at least two different colors in parts of one eye or both eyes.
If you’ve ever asked, “What is it called when you have different-colored eyes?,” the answer is heterochromia.
Heterochromia is a rare condition that affects the iris, the colored part of the eye. A pigment within the iris called melanin gives eyes their distinct color.
SEE RELATED: The mystery surrounding hazel eyes
What causes heterochromia?
A genetic mutation is believed to cause almost all congenital forms of heterochromia. The mutation is benign, meaning that it doesn’t relate to an underlying disease or illness and won’t cause any harm.
This random genetic “surprise” affects the melanin levels in different parts of the iris(es). Of the common eye colors, brown eyes have the most melanin and blue eyes have the least.
Animals can have heterochromia, too. At some point, you’ve probably noticed a Siberian husky, Australian shepherd or border collie with two different-colored eyes. Along with other domestic animals, these dogs experience the same genetic phenomenon as humans.
Heterochromia is usually harmless when present from birth or early development (congenital heterochromia). But it can also point to an underlying condition.
These conditions include:
Waardenburg syndrome
Sturge-Weber syndrome
Piebaldism
Bourneville disease (tuberous sclerosis)
Hirschsprung disease
Bloch-Sulzberger syndrome
Less commonly, heterochromia can occur later in life due to disease, injury or the use of certain medications. This is called acquired heterochromia.
When heterochromia is acquired, it may be the result of:
Eye surgery
Glaucoma medication
Eye tumors (benign or cancerous)
LEARN MORE ABOUT the causes of heterochromia.
Types and symptoms of heterochromia
There are three types of heterochromia: complete heterochromia, central heterochromia and sectoral heterochromia. Each type has its own unique visual traits.
Complete heterochromia: Two “mismatched” eyes of completely different colors. This is the least common form of heterochromia.
Central heterochromia: Multicolored eyes that start with one color near the pupil. The iris then shifts to a different color toward the edge. Central heterochromia usually affects both eyes.
Sectoral heterochromia: Two-colored eyes that take on more of a “slice” or “wedge” pattern on each affected eye. Also called partial heterochromia, it represents the type with the most variety. The secondary color can look like a thin slice of color in one eye and take up two-thirds of the iris in another eye. It can occur in one or both eyes.
A condition called anisocoria can easily be confused with heterochromia, which was often the case with David Bowie. Anisocoria gives the appearance of two different eye colors. In reality, the variation only relates to unequal pupil size — which can cause one eye to look darker than the other — not the actual eye color.
Heterochromia iridum and heterochromia iridis
When someone’s eyes have any form of multiple colors, they probably have heterochromia iridum or heterochromia iridis. Either name can be used to describe the condition mentioned above: eye-related heterochromia.
Different forms of heterochromia can affect skin and hair, so attaching iridum or iridis says that only the eyes are affected.
Heterochromia diagnosis
Since most lifelong cases of heterochromia aren’t harmful, they won’t need to be diagnosed by a doctor.
When a baby is born with heterochromia, their doctor may recommend having an ophthalmologist (medical eye doctor) look at their eyes. This is a normal process and not a cause for concern. It’s only used to rule out any rare conditions.
When heterochromia occurs or changes later in life, an eye doctor will need to perform a comprehensive eye exam.
Heterochromia treatment
Heterochromia is usually a harmless genetic trait. In these cases, it doesn’t need to be treated.
If a medical professional has determined that your heterochromia is due to an underlying condition or illness, treatment may be needed. Speak to your doctor about any questions you may have regarding developing a treatment plan.
If having different-colored eyes or different colors within each eye bothers you, consider trying colored contacts. However, we think that having different colors in your eyes makes you unique! In fact, many celebrities have heterochromia.
Heterochromia FAQs
Q: Is having heterochromia, or different-colored eyes, a bad thing?
A: Not usually, but it depends on the cause. Congenital heterochromia is usually harmless and rarely reflects an underlying illness. However, acquired heterochromia may be caused by certain glaucoma eye drops, eye injury or disease, and it can reveal a problem. If you notice a rapid change in your eye color, see an eye doctor.
Q: Is heterochromia more common in males or females?
A: Heterochromia is more common in females than in males based on a study performed several decades ago in Austria.
Q: What’s the difference between central heterochromia and hazel eyes?
A: An eye with central heterochromia has one distinct color around the pupil and a different color toward the outer edge of the iris. Hazel eyes are a mixture of different colors throughout the entire surface of the iris. For example, central heterochromia looks more like a target with multiple rings of color and hazel looks more like confetti.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? Read more of our Heterochromia FAQs
Anisocoria: Variation and clinical observation with different conditions of illumination and accommodation. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. March 1991.
Iris heterochromia: variations in form, age changes, sex dimorphism. Anthropologischer Anzeiger. June 1979.
Heterochromia. American Academy of Ophthalmology. April 2021.
Page published on Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Page updated on Monday, May 9, 2022
Medically reviewed on Sunday, May 9, 2021
