Heterochromia

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Heterochromia

Heterochromia is the presence of different colored eyes in the same person.

Differently colored eyes; Eyes - different colors

Heterochromia is uncommon in humans, but quite common in dogs (such as Dalmatians and Australian sheep dogs), cats, and horses.

Most cases of heterochromia are hereditary, caused by a disease or syndrome, or due to an injury. Sometimes one eye may change color following certain diseases or injuries.

Specific causes of eye color changes include:

• Bleeding (hemorrhage)
• Familial heterochromia
• Foreign object in the eye
• Glaucoma, or some medications used to treat it
• Injury
• Mild inflammation affecting only one eye
• Neurofibromatosis
• Waardenberg syndrome

Review Date: 11/02/2009
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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