Eyes of Different Colors

When a person or animal has eyes that are two different colors or when one eye is multicolored, it is called heterochromia. Most people consider this exotic looking eye "condition" to be an attribute rather than a defect. It can be inherited or it can be caused by a disease, an injury, or the use of certain eye drops.

Inherited heterochromia is rare in people, but fairly common in dogs, cats, and horses, and is particularly common in certain breeds.

Trauma to the eye can cause iron deposits to form causing discoloration. Tumors can cause the condition. Waardenberg syndrome and Horner's syndrome can cause lightening of the iris. Sturge-Weber syndrome, which can also cause port-wine stains, can cause a darkening of the iris.


To learn more about vision disorders, click here to read articles on vision disorders on The LASIK Directory.