Eyes of different colors: signs and superstitions. Disease when eyes are different colors

What do Alexander the Great, Mila Kunis, Jane Seymour and David Bowie have in common? Besides the fact that they are all individuals whose names are well known to many people around the world, all four of them have different colored eyes. In other words, they have heterochromia - a fairly rare condition that occurs in less than 1% of the world's population. What is heterochromia - a disease or an exceptional feature?

What causes heterochromia?

The color of a person's eyes is determined by the iris, or iris. Depending on the content of melanin pigment in its cells and the nature of its distribution, the iris can have a color from light blue to almost black. The color shade of the iris develops during the first months after the baby is born, the final color of his eyes is established in the first or second year of life, and the amount of melanin determines how dark the eye color will be. The less melanin, the lighter the eyes will be, and vice versa. In some cases, when the concentration of melanin and its distribution are heterogeneous, a condition known as iris heterochromia can occur.
Heterochromia (from the Greek ἕτερος - “different”, “different”; χρῶμα - “color”) is a different color of the iris of the right and left eyes or unequal coloring of different parts of the iris of one eye. It is the result of some excess or deficiency of melanin in different eyes, where one eye may be less pigmented, the other more. Heterochromia is a fairly rare phenomenon and occurs in less than 1% of the world's population. It can be hereditary or acquired as a result of eye injury or the development of certain diseases. Many people believe that multi-colored eyes make a face unique. If one eye is blue and the other is brown, the difference is immediately noticeable. Seeing that one eye is gray and the other blue is more difficult, and only by looking closely can you tell the difference.

Types of heterochromia

Depending on the type of coloring of the iris, several types of heterochromia are distinguished: complete, in which both eyes have a different color (Fig. 1); partial, or sectoral, when the iris of one eye contains several different color shades at once (Fig. 2); central, when the iris has several full-fledged colored rings (Fig. 3). The most common type is complete heterochromia, where, for example, one eye is brown and the other is blue. The second type, partial heterochromia, is in some cases a consequence of inherited diseases such as Hirschsprung's disease and Waardenburg's syndrome. In women, heterochromia occurs more often than in representatives of the stronger half of humanity. IN medical practice forms of heterochromia are known that arise as a result of damage to the iris: simple - abnormal coloring of the membrane of the eye with congenital weakness of the cervical sympathetic nerve; complicated - uveitis with Fuchs syndrome ( chronic illness, which is characterized by damage to one of the eyes, expressed by a change in the color of the iris).
Some people have developed heterochromia after injury to the eye with an iron or copper foreign body, when it was not removed in a timely manner. This process is called metallosis of the eye, and when it occurs, a number of symptoms characteristic of inflammation appear eyeball, and in addition, the color of the iris changes. Often with metallosis of the eye, the iris becomes brown-rusty, but it can also be green-blue.
Is it possible to restore the color of the iris? With congenital heterochromia medical treatment won't help, but level it out visible color eyes are capable of colored or tinted contact lenses. With metallosis, eye color can be restored after successful removal foreign body, and in case of inflammation of the eye - with complete cure.

Heterochromia in animals

In animals, the phenomenon of heterochromia is more common than in humans (Fig. 4). This anomaly can be seen in cats, dogs, horses, cows and even buffaloes.

Rice. 4. Animals with complete heterochromia

Most often, complete heterochromia occurs in cats with a partial or complete white color, for example in the Turkish Angora and turkish van. According to legend, the favorite cat of the Prophet Muhammad, Muizza, had eyes of different colors. Among dogs, heterochromia is often observed in breeds such as the Siberian Husky. Horses with complete heterochromia usually have one brown eye and one white, gray or blue eye, with heterochromia of the eyes occurring in piebald animals.
As a rule, complete heterochromia occurs in animals: one eye is blue or gray-blue in color, and the other is yellow, copper or brown. Partial heterochromia among animals is a rarer phenomenon; it is characterized by a partial inclusion of a color different from the main color of the iris. More often than in other animals, partial heterochromia occurs in dogs of the Australian Shepherd and Border Collie breeds.
Heterochromia is a condition whose gene is inherited; it does not cause any complications or inconveniences for the animal. Its presence does not affect visual acuity and light sensitivity, and the pupil reacts to light with a sharp constriction, as in ordinary animals. However, breeding animals with heterochromia is not recommended; it is considered a defect in the breed, although some animal lovers specifically select odd-eyed pets for themselves.

Should you worry if you have heterochromia?

Of course, heterochromia is an anomaly, but its presence does not necessarily mean the presence of hidden health problems. However, there is evidence that heterochromia may accompany some hereditary diseases. One example similar diseases- Waardenburg syndrome, in which children develop the following Clinical signs: congenital hearing loss varying degrees, a gray strand above the forehead and heterochromia. Another example is a disease such as neurofibromatosis, which affects many organs and even entire systems. Externally, it is accompanied by the presence on the skin of many coffee-milk-colored spots, neurofibromas and pigmented hamartomas of the iris (Bream nodules). Experts recommend that not only children, but also adults with congenital or acquired heterochromia undergo an annual medical examination.
If you notice a sudden change in the color of the iris, the appearance of heterochromia, this may be due to a health condition. In this case, you need to consult an ophthalmologist who will conduct a thorough examination and identify any problems.

Diagnosis and treatment of heterochromia

Let us say right away that heterochromia itself is not a disease. However, it may be a consequence of some serious illnesses and therefore requires a medical examination by an ophthalmologist. If pathologies are found during the examination, the doctor will give a referral for tests and other laboratory tests. Depending on the type of pathology identified, medication or surgery. If the disease is completely cured, eye color can be restored. At congenital pathology You can change the shade only with the help of.

Famous people with heterochromia

Facilities mass media pay special attention to the description of appearance famous people- actors, singers, athletes, politicians, looking for the slightest deviations from the norm. When asked, the British version of Wikipedia will give you a whole list of celebrities with one or another type of heterochromia.
Thus, partial or complete heterochromia was noted in the Hollywood actress Mila Kunis: her left eye is brown, her right eye is blue; British actress Jane Seymour: right eye - a combination of green and brown, left eye - green; American actress Kate Bosworth: left eye - blue, right - blue with brown; Canadian actor Kiefer Sutherland has sectoral heterochromia in both eyes - a combination of green and blue in British actor Benedict Cumberbatch; acquired heterochromia after an injury in a fight was noted in the British rock musician, singer and producer David Bowie (Fig. 5). Many other celebrities also have heterochromia.

Rice. 5. A whole list of celebrities with one or another type of heterochromia has been compiled.
On the picture (top down) Stars: Kate Bosworth, David Bowie, Jane Seymour, Mila Kunis

The fact that Alexander the Great had complete heterochromia is mentioned by the Greek historian Arrian, who described Alexander as a strong, attractive commander, one of whose eyes was black as night, and the other blue as the sky.
There are many examples of heterochromia among famous literary characters: Woland (“the right eye is black, the left for some reason is green”) from “The Master and Margarita” and Lieutenant Viktor Myshlaevsky from “The White Guard” by Mikhail Bulgakov, tank commander Vasily Semenov in Janusz Przymanowski’s book “The Four tank driver and dog."
Different eye colors always attract attention, but after reading this article, you will understand that this is most often just an abnormal deviation from the norm, hereditary or acquired.

1 See: Heterochromia iridum // Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterochromia_iridum (access date: 09.22.2014).
2 See: Heterochromia // Wikipedia - the free encyclopedia [Site]. URL: http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/ %C3 %E5 %F2 %E5 %F0 %EE %F5 %F0 %EE %EC %E8 %FF (access date: 09/22/2014).
3 See: Neurofibromatosis // Neboleem.net. Medical portal[Website]. URL: http://www.neboleem.net/neirofibromatoz.php (access date: 09/22/2014).
4 See: Heterochromia, or People with different-colored eyes // facte.ru. Educational magazine [Site]. URL: http://facte.ru/man/6474.html#ixzz336UHypus (access date: 09/22/2014).
5 See: What causes different colored eyes? // essilor. URL: http://news.essilorusa.com/stories/detail/what-causes-different-colored-eyes (access date: 09/22/2014).
6 See: List of people with heterochromia // Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_with_heterochromia (access date: 09/22/2014).
7 See: Alexander the Great // Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great (access date: 09/22/2014).

Olga Shcherbakova, Veko magazine, 8/2014

One of amazing features A person who immediately attracts attention is eyes of different colors, which in medicine are called heterochromia. There is something mysterious, unknown and even mystical in this; it seems that their owner has unique knowledge and information inaccessible to ordinary people. The likelihood of meeting a person with different-colored eyes is low, since, according to statistics, out of 1000 people only 11 have this color.

brief information

Since ancient times, people with such an anomaly caused fear among others; they were considered sorcerers, witches, and even descendants of the devil. They were persecuted and blamed for all the misfortunes and troubles happening around them. So, if suddenly there was a fire, flood or other natural disaster in the village, the owner of eyes of different colors was always considered to be to blame. Mothers who gave birth to children with different colors iris, received no less - they were credited with a love affair with Satan. People with different eye colors caused fear among others, so a superstitious person always tried to avoid them. If a meeting with them was inevitable, then special prayers and conspiracies against damage and the evil eye came to the rescue.

Currently, science has made great strides forward and doctors can answer the question of why people different eyes. Now people with heterochromia are not persecuted, but undoubtedly attract the attention of others. Most owners of eyes with different iris colors have complexes and consider this a disadvantage.

However, some of them turn an anomaly into a virtue and are proud of their uniqueness; complexes are alien to them.

What is heterochromia?

Scientists have long studied this phenomenon and found the answer to the question of what heterochromia is. Multicolored eyes do not appear due to possession or other influence of otherworldly forces. This unusual coloring occurs due to too much or too little content of the melanin pigment in the iris, which is responsible for a certain shade of a person’s eyes.

The color of the iris is formed by only 3 pigments: yellow, blue and brown. Depending on the concentration of each of them in it, a person has a specific eye color. Each person suffering from heterochromia has a unique form, but scientists divide the anomaly into several large groups, each of which will have its own name. So:

1. Complete heterochromia - those same multi-colored eyes. The most common combinations are with blue eyes.
2. Sectoral, which is also called partial heterochromia of the eyes, with this deviation the iris is characterized by coloring in several contrasting shades.
3. Central - a deviation in which several distinct rings can be distinguished on the iris, each of them differs in color from the others.

Heterochromia is not a disease, but an eye abnormality, so you should not be afraid of it. It does not pose any danger: it does not affect vision, does not distort the color and shape of surrounding objects.

Rarely, the presence of this abnormality may be a sign of other eye problems.

Why does heterochromia occur?

It is impossible to definitively answer why some people have different colored eyes. Scientists agree that such an anomaly is nothing more than a play of nature. However, there are 3 main reasons for its occurrence. Among them:

1. Simple heterochromia, or congenital, when a person has different eyes from the moment of birth, but no disturbances in the functioning of this organ are observed. Such an anomaly in pure form is rare.
2. Complicated heterochromia often develops against the background of Fuchs syndrome. With this disease, one eye is affected in people, and heterochromia may be mild or absent altogether.
3. Acquired heterochromia, when a change in the color of the iris is caused by injury, inflammation, tumor, improper use of eye medicines and various mechanical damage. For example, this happens when a microscopic particle of copper or iron gets into the eye. In the first case, there is a high probability of developing chalcosis, in the second - siderosis, and the color of the iris will acquire a greenish, bluish, brownish or rusty tint.

Diagnosis and treatment of the anomaly

Diagnosis of the anomaly occurs through observation; its signs are visible to the naked eye from the moment of manifestation. After detecting different eye colors, the doctor conducts comprehensive examination by using laboratory research and special techniques aimed at identifying disturbances in the functioning of the visual apparatus. Only after this does the specialist make a diagnosis, tell you the name of the disease, and prescribe treatment.

If a different eye color is the only anomaly observed in the patient, and no other abnormalities were identified during the examination, drug treatment And surgery are not assigned. There is simply no need for this, because fix this defect modern medicine not possible. If the examination reveals diseases that are considered to be heterochromia, the doctor will prescribe the necessary treatment.

Thus, if heterochromia is an acquired deviation, then it will be possible to restore the color of the iris, but this may take a decent amount of time. But people with different-colored eyes from birth will never be able to correct their color. As practice shows, most people consider this feature a flaw in appearance; few want to attract the attention of others. Such people can be advised to correct their eye shade using colored contact lenses. Nowadays, they can be purchased at any optician and even tried on before purchasing. Properly selected lenses will be completely invisible to others and will help a person with heterochromia get rid of complexes. Before you go for contact lenses, it is recommended to consult with an ophthalmologist to make sure there are no contraindications to wearing them.

Heterochromia and human character

Popular wisdom says that congenital heterochromia leaves an imprint on a person’s personality.

There are no people without flaws, and representatives with different-colored eyes are no exception. Their main drawback is selfishness. This explains the extremes inherent in their behavior - they either withdraw into themselves and consider this feature a huge drawback, or they emphasize it in every possible way, trying to be the center of attention. Such people want special treatment and increased attention to their person. However, this does not prevent them from having a narrow circle of close friends whom they truly love and enjoy spending time with.

Different eye colors in people indicate their sensitivity, so you need to be extremely careful with statements addressed to them. Of course, they know how to forgive, but they will remember the offense for a very long time. They also do not know how to speak in hints and do not understand them; they always say directly everything they think, sometimes thereby offending others.

In addition, they are very creative people: they love to sing, dance, write poetry and draw. They really value holidays, visiting people and hosting them in their home. Overall - very outstanding and interesting people, so they definitely shouldn’t feel complex about their appearance. They are very loyal to those they love and will always lend a helping hand if needed.

Eyes of different colors are considered a fairly rare phenomenon, which is often hereditary. Some other causes of different eye colors in humans include trauma to the eye from blunt force trauma and increased intraocular pressure, which occurs in diseases such as glaucoma. Usually both of a person's eyes are the same color. However, this is not the case for people with heterochromia, a disorder in which a person's eye color varies.

For parents who have a child with different eye colors,
It is recommended to check the baby for genetic diseases.

Also known as multicolored eyes, this disorder is characterized by different colors in the iris (the disc surrounding the pupils of the eyes). Thus, a person with heterochromia may have one eye that is brown while the other is green. Typically, the iris of one eye is darker or lighter than the iris of the other.

Heterochromia (different eye colors) is a rare phenomenon among humans, but is more common in cats, dogs and horses.

As you know, eye color is determined by melanin, a pigment produced by cells in the iris of the eyes. The more melanin present in the iris, the darker the eye color. The absence of melanin is often associated with blue eye. With heterochromia, the amount of melanin in the irises of the eyes is not the same. This is the reason for the different colors of the eyes. Depending on how the melanin is distributed, there may be a complete color difference between the irises of the eyes, or uneven coloration of the iris, for example, having a green iris with a brown rim around the pupil.

Genetic causes of different colored eyes

In most cases, different eye colors are present from birth. In other words, heterochromia is often caused by genetic factors. Usually this disorder has a significant hereditary component, but in some cases it can appear in a child even though the parents do not have it.

Waardenburg syndrome. It's rare genetic disease, usually manifesting as congenital deafness and abnormal changes in skin and eye color. In addition to congenital deafness, people with this syndrome have specific physical characteristics such as cleft lip and cleft palate. This hereditary disease, i.e. the abnormal gene is passed on to the child from the parents.

Neurofibromatosis. Neurofibromatosis caused by genetic mutation, causes abnormal cell proliferation in nerve tissues. This causes tumors to form along the nerves in the skin. When tumors affect the eyes, heterochromia may develop. Some of the common symptoms of neurofibromatosis are flat, light brown spots, And soft bulges on or under the skin.

Acquired reasons

Heterochromia- This is a genetic problem, but it can develop throughout life. This is possible for several reasons.

Eye injury. Heterochromia can be caused by eye injury, for example from a blow. This possibility exists because this type of injury causes internal bleeding, leading to an accumulation or significant decrease in the amount of melanin in the affected eye. Thus, the affected eye may appear darker or lighter than the other eye. This change in eye color may be temporary or permanent, depending on the severity of the injury.

Glaucoma- This common name for a range of eye conditions that cause an excessive increase in intraocular pressure, ultimately leading to progressive, irreversible damage optic nerve. Increased intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma can also affect the even distribution of melanin in the iris, ultimately causing heterochromia.

Chronic inflammation iris. The famous American actress Mila Kunis suffered from inflammation of the iris for several years. This caused one of her eyes to turn green while the other remained brown. Chronic inflammation of the iris can occur due to an eye infection or autoimmune diseases, at which the immune system attacks the tissues of its own body.

Foreign body getting into the eye. A foreign body entering the eye can damage the iris, where melanin is produced. Small particles of dust that get stuck in the gases usually cause the white part of the eyes to turn red, but do not change the color of the iris. However, objects that penetrate the iris can damage the melanin-producing cells, causing the affected eye to change color.

People born with abnormal eye pigmentation are advised to see a doctor to see if it is a symptom of any of the rare diseases mentioned above. Usually congenital heterochromia is easy character, and the difference in eye color is often almost invisible. Moreover, the likelihood of its connection with any rare disease is quite low. If the different colors of the eyes are not congenital and occur suddenly, a consultation with an ophthalmologist is necessary to determine the cause underlying this disorder.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not substitute for advice from a healthcare professional.

Video

Heterochromia of the eyes can be not only a kind of unique decoration of the look, but also a symptom of the development of some serious diseases.

The mysterious look of people with different eye colors is not the only thing that is the result of heterochromia. In some cases, this phenomenon may indicate the presence and development of serious pathologies in the body.

What is ocular heterochromia?

Heterochromia refers to a rare phenomenon when the colors of the iris of the right and left eyes are different or the iris of one eye is not the same and, in some cases, unevenly colored.

IMPORTANT: According to statistics, only 1% of people have partial or complete heterochromia. In this case, the most common cases are the color of one eye blue or Blue colour, and the other in shades of brown.

Why people's eyes are different colors: reasons

Heterochromia occurs as a result lack or excess of melanin in the iris or part thereof. The less it is, the lighter the color. And vice versa - the more melanin, the darker the eyes.

One of the most harmless reasons the appearance of heterochromia is heredity.

IMPORTANT: If a child has relatives with eyes of different colors, then there is a high probability of developing heterochromia. Most likely, parents will notice the anomaly in the baby before the age of two.

Other common causes of heterochromia may be:

1. Inflammation of blood vessels in the eyes with Fuchs syndrome. A change in the color of one or two eyes is often accompanied by blurred vision, deterioration, and, over time, total loss vision.
2. Eye injury. Eye contact with graphite, metal shavings, or other foreign objects and their untimely removal can lead to a change in the color of the injured eye. As a rule, light eyes darken, acquiring brown or green shades.
3. Neurofibromatosis.
4. Effect of medications used to treat glaucoma.

Video: Why do people have different colored eyes?

Central heterochromia of the iris in humans

It is characterized by a change in color only in the area of ​​the pupils. Typically, a small distance around the pupil itself is darker, mostly brown, while the rest of the iris is light.

Owners of eyes with central heterochromia are proud of their unusual expressive gaze and do not realize that this phenomenon is described in medical textbooks.

IMPORTANT: Central heterochromia is not a reason to panic and look for diseases. However, a visit to the ophthalmologist will not be superfluous.

Partial or sector heterochromia of the iris in humans

At partial (sector) heterochromia The iris is not fully colored due to insufficient melanin. As a result, one eye can be “divided” into several unique color segments.

In the middle of the darker color there may be light spots: blue on a background of brown, gray on a background of blue.

Sector heterochromia

What is acquired heterochromia of the eyes?

Acquired heterochromia is almost always the result of serious illnesses, severe inflammatory processes or injuries and can lead to disastrous consequences. People whose color in one or both eyes suddenly begins to change should consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

Reason acquired heterochromia May be:

1. Siderosis– a disease in which iron deposits occur in the eyes.
2. Glaucoma treatment drops that provoke excessive melanin production.
3. Tumor diseases of the eyes.
4. A iris trophy, manifested in its gradual discoloration.
5. Neuroblastoma or melanoma– malignant tumors.
6. Inflammatory process of the blood vessels of the eye membranes, which can cause blindness.

Glaucoma drops can cause heterochromia

Heterochromia of the eyes: how to get sick?

IN modern society The phenomenon of heterochromia is treated as a certain feature that gives the owner of different-colored eyes a magical look.

Creators computer games and anime, rewarding their heroes with heterochromia, try to emphasize the mystery and greatness of these characters. Perhaps this is why a peculiar fashion for multi-colored eyes arose.

Young people often try to deliberately change their eye color, achieving the effect of complete heterochromia.

If the desire to have eyes of different colors is too great, only multi-colored lenses can help. It is impossible to intentionally get sick or become infected with heterochromia of the eyes.

IMPORTANT: In cases of acquired heterochromia, eye color is often restored after the cause that caused this phenomenon is eliminated. If heterochromia is congenital, the eyes will have the colors given by nature until the end of a person’s life.

Heterochromia (from Greek. ἕτερος And χρῶμα , which means “different color”) is a fairly rare phenomenon when a person has different eye colors. What is characteristic is that heterochromia of the eyes in people can manifest itself not only in different colors of the right and left visual organs, but also in the color of the iris, which may occur due to the uneven distribution of melanin (coloring pigment) in the membrane.

Eyes of different colors. What should you know?

On a note! If melanin is unevenly distributed in one or two eyes, or there is too little or too much of it, this leads to a phenomenon called heterochromia.

The specific color depends on what color pigment is in excess/deficit (it can be blue, yellow and brown). As noted earlier, the phenomenon is rare (approximately 1% of the planet's inhabitants) and, characteristically, more often in women than in men. However, no physiological/anatomical prerequisites for such gender “inequality” have been identified.

Heterochromia is not considered a pathology, because, apart from the external effect (eyes of different colors do not always look attractive), there are no visual disturbances not accompanied. But this applies only to those cases where the condition is congenital, that is, not associated with concomitant eye diseases.

Main types of heterochromia

Depending on the factors that cause heterochromia, it can be hereditary or acquired. According to another classification, it is divided into three types, let’s get acquainted with them.

Table. Types of heterochromia.

Name, photo	Short description
	The rings on the iris are clearly visible, differing from the main color of the shell.
	On one eye there are noticeable areas that are colored with pigment of different shades/colors.
	The iris of one eye is completely colored. As a rule, in similar cases one eye is brown and the other is blue.

People with eyes of different colors. Photo

In the photo below you can see Various types the phenomenon described in the article.

Why does heterochromia appear?

So, why can a person’s eyes be different colors? To the main reasons, as well as to the prerequisites for development this phenomenon, can be attributed to:

• heredity;
• various types of injuries, for example, the entry of foreign objects into the organs of vision. Such injuries may cause the eyes to darken. And if, say, the gray/blue iris is damaged, then it may eventually turn brown or;

• Fuchs syndrome. Characterized by developing inflammatory processes in the tissues of the organs of vision. Other signs include blurred vision, as well as complete/partial loss of vision;
• side effects of a number of drugs that are used to treat;
• neurofibromatosis.

Note! In most cases, it is hereditary heterochromia that is observed. Therefore, if the phenomenon was identified in one of the parents, then with a probability of more than 50% the child will have it (to a lesser or greater extent).

Depending on the cause, heterochromia can be simple, complicated or acquired. Acquired form– This is when the color of the eye has changed due to the use of glaucoma medications or due to injury. In addition, this can appear after copper or iron gets into the eyes - in the first case, the phenomenon is called chalcosis, and in the second - siderosis.

Complicated heterochromia develops due to Fuchs syndrome, although diagnosing it in some cases is quite difficult, because the eye does not always undergo significant changes. Although there are additional signs that determine the complicated form of the phenomenon:

• blurred vision;
• the appearance of precipitates (these are floating white formations in the eye);
• dystrophic changes in the iris;
• cataract.

As for simple heterochromia, then it develops without any diseases; A simple congenital form is often detected, most clearly manifested in children under 2 years of age.

Although the reasons may be different, not entirely normal - for example, Horner's or Waardenburg's syndrome.

About diagnosis and treatment

Important information! Treatment of heterochromia is not always necessary, although after a series diagnostic measures a specific treatment regimen may be prescribed (here everything depends on the specific cause of development).

As a rule, experts determine all this visually. Then, if required, prescribe special examination, thanks to which it is possible to identify pathological changes tissues, which led to heterochromia. If, in addition to changes in the color of the iris, no other symptoms are observed and vision does not deteriorate, then no treatment will be required. By the way, in such cases, even with the help of medications or surgery, the natural color of the iris cannot be changed.

If the anomaly is caused by a violation of the integrity of the iris or some kind of eye disease, then steroid drugs will be used for treatment. If the lens becomes cloudy, if steroids have not given any effect, vitrectomy is prescribed ( surgical removal vitreous– partial or complete).

Note! If the color of the iris has changed due to contact with the eyes metal shavings, then the problem is solved by removing the foreign body and then drug therapy. After this, the eye color should return to normal.

Video - Changing eye color without lenses

As you can see, in the case of an acquired form of heterochromia, it is imperative to visit an ophthalmologist. Qualified specialist will assess how dangerous the anomaly is and, if necessary, prescribe appropriate therapy. And when congenital form such intervention is not required, because heterochromia does not affect vision either positively or negatively.

Celebrities with heterochromia

mass media Special attention pay attention to the appearance of celebrities - athletes, singers, actors - and look for the slightest hint of deviation. On Wikipedia, for example, you can find a large list famous personalities with different eye colors (more or less pronounced). This is, for example, Mila Kunis - the actress of Ukrainian origin has one blue eye and the other brown. Jane Seymour, a popular British actress, also has heterochromia of the eyes, as do Kate Bosworth, Kiefer Sutherland, Benedict Cumberbatch and many others. And David Bowie, by the way, has this anomaly acquired - it appeared after an injury received in a fight.

On a note! If you believe the ancient Greek historian Arrian, then Alexander the Great also had different eye colors.

As a conclusion. Heterochromy among animals

But in animals such an anomaly occurs much more often than in people. Heterochromia can be seen not only in dogs or cats, but also in cows, horses, and buffaloes.

As a rule, the anomaly appears in white cats (partially or completely). As for dogs, the anomaly can occur in representatives of breeds such as the Siberian Husky. Horses with heterochromia typically have one eye that is white/blue and the other eye that is brown. And one more interesting fact: eyes of different colors are observed mainly in piebald animals.

Video - Different colored eyes in people (heterochromia)