Heterochromia iridum

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Classification and external resources
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Classification and external resources

In anatomy, heterochromia (Greek: heteros 'different' + chroma 'color'[1]) is a difference in coloration, usually of the iris but also of hair or skin. Heterochromia is a result of the relative excess or lack of melanin (a pigment). It may be inherited, or caused by genetic mosaicism, chimerism, disease, or injury.[2]

Heterochromia of the eye (heterochromia iridis or heterochromia iridum; the common incorrect form "heterochromia iridium" is not correct Latin) is of two kinds. In complete heterochromia, one iris is a different color from the other. In partial heterochromia or sectoral heterochromia, part of one iris is a different color from its remainder.

Eye color, specifically the color of the irises, is determined primarily by the concentration and distribution of melanin.[3][4][5] The affected eye may be hyperpigmented (hyperchromic) or hypopigmented (hypochromic).[6] In humans, usually, an excess of melanin indicates hyperplasia of the iris tissues, whereas a lack of melanin indicates hypoplasia.


Heterochromia is classified primarily by onset: as either genetic or acquired. Although a distinction is frequently made between heterochromia that affects an eye completely or only partially (sectoral heterochromia), it is often classified as either genetic (due to mosaicism or congenital) or acquired, with mention as to whether the affected iris or portion of the iris is darker or lighter. [7] 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.[8]

Congenital heterochromia: inherited in autosomal dominant fashion (from men or women)

Congenital heterochromia[edit]

Heterochromia that is congenital is usually inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.

Abnormal iris darker[edit]

Abnormal iris lighter[edit]

Acquired heterochromia[edit]

Heterochromia that is acquired is usually due to injury, inflammation, the use of certain eyedrops that damages the iris,[14] or tumors.

Abnormal iris darker[edit]

Abnormal iris lighter[edit]

Heterochromia has also been observed in those with Duane syndrome.[20][21]

Central heterochromia[edit]

Example of central heterochromia showing a gold to blue iris


Eye color is determined primarily by the concentration and distribution of melanin within the iris tissues. Although the processes determining eye color are not fully understood, it is known that inherited eye color is determined by multiple genes. Environmental or acquired factors can alter these inherited traits.[3]

The human iris can be seen in a number of various colors. There are three true colors in human eyes that determine the outward appearance: brown, yellow, and grey. The amount of each color an individual has determines the appearance of the eye color.[23]

Eyes displaying central heterochromia are often referred to as "cat eyes" because of their multi-colored iris. Central heterochromia appears to be prevalent in irises containing low amounts of melanin.[24]

A famous case of a person with central heterochromia was Baroness Rozsika Edle von Wertheimstein, whose daughter wrote: "She was a very beautiful woman... She had dark, dark brown eyes, but each eye had a purple ring to it, about a quarter of an inch of purple around these dark brown eyes."[25]

Notable people with heterochromia[edit]

In other organisms[edit]

Although infrequently seen in humans, complete heterochromia is more frequently observed in other species, where it almost always involves one blue eye. The blue eye occurs within a white spot, where melanin is absent from the skin and hair (see Leucism). These species include the cat, particularly breeds such as Turkish Van, Turkish Angora, Khao Manee and (rarely) Japanese Bobtail. These so-called odd-eyed cats are white, or mostly white, with one normal eye (copper, orange, yellow, green), and one blue eye. Among dogs, complete heterochromia is seen often in the Siberian Husky and few other breeds, usually Australian Shepherd and Catahoula Leopard Dog. Horses with complete heterochromia have one brown and one white, gray, or blue eye - complete heterochromia is more common in horses with pinto coloring. Complete heterochromia occurs also in cattle and even water buffalo.[26] It can also be seen in ferrets with Waardenburg Syndrome, although it can be very hard to tell at times as the eye color is often a midnight blue.

Sectoral heterochromia, usually sectoral hypochromia, is often seen in dogs, specifically in breeds with merle coats. These breeds include the Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Collie, Shetland Sheepdog, Welsh Corgi, Pyrenean Shepherd, Mudi, Beauceron, Catahoula Cur, Dunker, Great Dane, Dachshund and Chihuahua. It also occurs in certain breeds that do not carry the merle trait, such as the Siberian Husky.


See also[edit]


  1. ^ http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/heterochromia+iridis
  2. ^ Imesch PD, Wallow IH, Albert DM (February 1997). "The color of the human eye: a review of morphologic correlates and of some conditions that affect iridial pigmentation throughout life.". Surv Ophthalmol. 41 (Suppl 2): S117–23. doi:10.1016/S0039-6257(97)80018-5. PMID 9154287. 
  3. ^ a b Wielgus AR, Sarna T (December 2005). "Melanin in human irides of different color and age of donors". Pigment Cell Res. 18 (6): 454–64. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0749.2005.00268.x. PMID 16280011. 
  4. ^ Prota G, Hu DN, Vincensi MR, McCormick SA, Napolitano A (September 1998). "Characterization of melanins in human irides and cultured uveal melanocytes from eyes of different colors". Exp Eye Res. 67 (3): 293–9. doi:10.1006/exer.1998.0518. PMID 9778410. 
  5. ^ "All About Eye Color" from Larry Bickford
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Loewenstein, John; Scott Lee (2004). Ophthalmology: Just the Facts. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-140332-9. 
  7. ^ Swann P. "Heterochromia." Optometry Today. January 29, 1999. Retrieved November 1, 2006.
  8. ^ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003319.htm
  9. ^ van Emelen C, Goethals M, Dralands L, Casteels I (Jan–Feb 2000). "Treatment of glaucoma in children with Sturge-Weber syndrome". J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 37 (1): 29–34. PMID 10714693. 
  10. ^ "Sturge-Weber syndrome: Definition and Much More from Answers.com". Answers.com<!. Retrieved 2009-11-19. 
  11. ^ a b Wallis DH, Granet DB, Levi L (June 2003). "When the darker eye has the smaller pupil". J Aapos. 7 (3): 215–6. doi:10.1016/S1091-8531(02)42020-4. PMID 12825064. 
  12. ^ Ohno N, Kiyosawa M, Mori H, Wang WF, Takase H, Mochizuki M (Jan–Feb 2003). "Clinical findings in Japanese patients with Waardenburg syndrome type 2". Jpn J Ophthalmol. 47 (1): 77–84. doi:10.1016/S0021-5155(02)00629-9. PMID 12586183. 
  13. ^ Brazel SM, Sullivan TJ, Thorner PS, Clarke MP, Hunter WS, Morin JD (February 1992). "Iris sector heterochromia as a marker for neural crest disease". Arch Ophthalmol. 110 (2): 233–5. PMID 1736874. 
  14. ^ Liu CSC (August 1999). "A case of acquired iris depigmentation as a possible complication of levobunolol eye drops". British Journal of Ophthalmology 83 (12). doi:10.1136/bjo.83.12.1403c. 
  15. ^ Yang P, Fang W, Jin H, Li B, Chen X, Kijlstra A (March 2006). "Clinical features of Chinese patients with Fuchs' syndrome". Ophthalmology. 113 (3): 473–80. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2005.10.028. PMID 16458965. 
  16. ^ Arellanes-Garcia L, del Carmen Preciado-Delgadillo M, Recillas-Gispert C (June 2002). "Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis: clinical manifestations in dark-eyed Mexican patients". Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 10 (2): 125–31. doi:10.1076/ocii. PMID 12778348. 
  17. ^ a b Tabbut BR, Tessler HH, Williams D (December 1988). "Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis in blacks". Arch Ophthalmol. 106 (12): 1688–90. PMID 3196209. 
  18. ^ Bloch-Michel E (1983). "Fuchs heterochromic cyclitis: current concepts". J Fr Ophtalmol. (in French) 6 (10): 853–8. PMID 6368659. 
  19. ^ Mehta K, Haller JO, Legasto AC (2003). "Imaging neuroblastoma in children". Crit Rev Comput Tomogr. 44 (1): 47–61. doi:10.1080/10408370390808469. PMID 12627783. 
  20. ^ Khan AO, Aldamesh M (June 2006). "Bilateral Duane syndrome and bilateral aniridia". J Aapos. 10 (3): 273–4. doi:10.1016/j.jaapos.2006.02.002. PMID 16814183. 
  21. ^ Shauly Y, Weissman A, Meyer E (May–Jun 1993). "Ocular and systemic characteristics of Duane syndrome". J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 30 (3): 178–83. PMID 8350229. 
  22. ^ HeterochromiaCentral.com - What Is Central Heterochromia?
  23. ^ Seddon JM, Sahagian CR, Glynn RJ, Sperduto RD, Gragoudas ES (August 1990). "Evaluation of an iris color classification system". Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 31 (8): 1592–8. PMID 2201662. 
  24. ^ "Key Ocular Signs for Screening". Milesresearch.com. Retrieved 2009-11-19. 
  25. ^ Dame Miriam Rothschild, by Naomi Gryn, Jewish Quarterly, Spring 2004, page 54
  26. ^ Misk NA, Semieka MA, Fathy A (1998). "Heterochromia iridis in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)". Vet Ophthalmol. 1 (4): 195–201. doi:10.1046/j.1463-5224.1998.00036.x. PMID 11397231. 

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