Heterochromia: when your eyes are two different colors

Heterochromia is the scientific name for when a patient’s eyes are two different colors. Since a person’s iris is what defines eye color, this means that the person has an iris that is one color in one eye and then a different colored iris in the other. This color difference can be partial or complete. With complete heterochromia the difference can be striking. In partial heterochromia it may not be as noticeable.  

Sectoral heterochromia 

As the name suggests, sectoral heterochromia is when only a section of the iris is affected. This means that the remainder of the iris is the same color as the other eye. There have been case reports showing that sectoral heterochromia may be associated with certain systemic health problems. One of these reported cases was of an infant with sectoral heterochromia and Beckwith-Wiedmann Syndrome. (Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34189344/) 

Central heterochromia  

In central heterochromia there is an uneven distribution of melanin throughout the iris. It is not just limited to one area like in sectoral heterochromia. Usually, the difference in color is seen around the pupil and can have a circular like distribution. The outer ring in many cases is blue or green, while the inner ring is usually a gold or a hazel-like color. 

Is heterochromia dangerous? 

In and of itself, no, it's not dangerous. However, in some cases, having different colored eyes could be a sign of something else that is going on. So, it’s important to see your ophthalmologist if you think that your eyes are different colors. Some diseases associated with heterochromia are Horner’s syndrome, Uveitis, Diabetes, Glaucoma and Sturge Weber Syndrome. There are other diseases as well so be sure to have an expert evaluate your eyes. 

There are also certain medications that can change the color of your eyes. This is a reported side effect of certain glaucoma medications called prostaglandin analogues. The generic name for these medications are bimatoprost, tafluprost, latanoprost, and travoprost. If your eye color changes because of one of these medications, this change is likely to be permanent.  

Heterochromia diagnosis and treatment 

If you or your family member has heterochromia, be sure to make an appointment with an ophthalmologist. They can diagnose it by taking a look at the eyes with a special machine called a slit lamp. They can also evaluate the complete health of the eye to see if there is suspicion of the heterochromia being associated with another health issue. Treatment of heterochromia is focused on the underlying cause. There may not be a way to treat the heterochromia itself. Colored contacts could be an option for individuals who are bothered by the appearance of their eyes.