What do different colored eyes mean? Why do people have different eyes? Complete and partial heterochromia

Heterochromia (from the Greek. ἕτερος and χρῶμα , which means "different color") is enough a rare event when a person has a different eye color. Tellingly, heterochromia of the eyes in humans can manifest itself not only in the different colors of the right and left visual organs, but also in the color of the iris, which may occur due to uneven distribution of melanin (coloring pigment) in the shell.

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 such a phenomenon as heterochromia.

The specific color depends on what color the pigment is in excess / deficiency (it can be blue, yellow and brown). As noted earlier, the phenomenon is rare (in about 1% of the inhabitants of the planet) 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, in addition to the external effect (eyes different color do not always look attractive), no visual impairment not accompanied. But this applies only to those cases where the condition is congenital, that is, not associated with concomitant eye diseases.

The 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. Varieties of heterochromia.

People with eyes of different colors. A photo

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

Why does heterochromia appear?

So, why can a person's eyes be of different colors? The main reasons, as well as the prerequisites for the development of this phenomenon, include:

• heredity;
• various kinds of injuries, for example, the ingress of foreign objects into the organs of vision. Due to such injuries, the eyes may darken. And if, say, the gray / blue iris is damaged, then it can eventually turn brown either;

• fuchs syndrome. It is characterized by developing inflammatory processes in the tissues of the organs of vision. Other signs include blurred vision, as well as its complete / partial loss;
• 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 detected in one of the parents, then with a probability of more than 50% it will be in the child (to a lesser or greater extent).

Depending on the cause of the occurrence, heterochromia can be simple, complicated and acquired. Acquired form- this is when the color of the eye has changed after the use of drugs for glaucoma or due to injury. In addition, it 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 it is quite difficult to diagnose it in some cases, because the eye does not always tolerate significant changes. Although there are additional features, which 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; often reveal a simple congenital form, most pronounced in children under the age of 2 years.

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

About diagnosis and treatment

Important information! Treatment of heterochromia is not always mandatory, although after a series of diagnostic measures a certain therapy regimen can be prescribed (it all depends on the specific cause of development).

As a rule, experts determine all this visually. Then, if required, assign special examination, through which it is possible to identify pathological changes tissue resulting in heterochromia. If, apart from a change in the color of the iris, other symptoms are not observed, and vision does not deteriorate, then no treatment is required. By the way, in such cases, even with the help of medicines or surgery, the natural color of the iris can no longer be changed.

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

Note! If the color of the iris has changed due to the fact that metal chips have got into the eyes, then the problem is solved by eliminating foreign body and subsequent drug therapy. After that, the color of the eye should return to normal.

Video - Change eye color without lenses

As you can see, in the case of an acquired form of heterochromia in without fail you need to visit an ophthalmologist. A qualified specialist will assess how dangerous the anomaly is and, if necessary, prescribe appropriate therapy. And with the congenital form similar interference 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 big list famous people with different eye color (more or less pronounced). This, for example, is Mila Kunis - an actress of Ukrainian origin has one eye blue and the other brown. Jane Seymour, a popular British actress, also has heterochromia, as do Kate Bosworth, Kiefer Sutherland, Benedict Cumberbatch and many others. And in David Bowie, by the way, this anomaly is 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 a different eye color.

As a conclusion. Heterochromia among animals

But in animals, such an anomaly is much more common than in humans. Heterochromia can be seen not only in dogs or cats, but also in cows, horses, buffaloes.

As a rule, the anomaly manifests itself in white (partially or completely cats). As for dogs, they may have an anomaly in representatives of breeds such as the Siberian Husky. Horses with heterochromia usually have one eye white/blue and the other brown. And one more interesting fact: eyes of different colors are observed mainly in animals with a piebald color.

Video - Multi-colored eyes in humans (heterochromia)

Have you met people with different colored eyes? One look at such a person makes you stop your eyes on him, causing great interest. The combination of karego and blue eye impossible not to notice. Nature has endowed such people with a special charm, however, there are only one percent of them in the world. Why is the iris of the eyes different colors in one person? We will try to explain it to you.

In science, this phenomenon is called heterochromia. It is explained either by the presence of an excess, or vice versa, a lack of a pigment called melanin. The most important thing to know is that a different eye color is not a disease, but just a gift from nature.

There are also two states of heterochromia. If the irises of the eyes have various colors, then this is complete heterochromia. Partial heterochromia is caused by a two-color iris in one of a person's eyes. However, partial heterochromia is extremely rare. In addition, multi-colored eyes in a person can be an acquired phenomenon, due to a head injury or after being cured of a serious illness.

At present, science explains this phenomenon, and people with multi-colored eyes live in peace. In the old days, this caused fear. It was believed that multi-colored eyes are a sign dark forces and such people were shunned.
Today, a man with multi-colored eyes is always in the spotlight. Psychologists even made a special psychological portrait for people with such a phenomenon. As a rule, these are sincere, courageous and sometimes unpredictable people. Since childhood, feeling different, they are always in the spotlight and surround themselves with only a small circle of friends. Maximalists by nature, they always strive to be the first in everything.

The Mosaic People, as they are called, often use colored lenses to hide their phenomenon from outsiders. Excessive attention is sometimes tiring, perhaps that is why they hide their individuality. A common person on the contrary, he envies mosaics. After all, being different from others is a reason for pride.

If you find an error, select the text fragment with it and click Shift+E or , in order to inform us!

How to deal with circles under the eyes?

Why do fingernails grow faster than toenails...

Why do people lie to each other?...

What is the rarest eye color?

There are cases when people changed the color of one of the eyes after mechanical damage to the organ of vision with an object made of iron or copper. This phenomenon is called metallosis (depending on the type of metal - siderosis or chalcosis): along with signs of an inflammatory process in the eyeball, a change in the shade of the iris occurs. Most often in similar situation the iris becomes rusty-brown, rarely greenish-blue.

Different eye sizes

Eye pathologies often have rich symptoms. For example, such diseases are characterized by reddening of the conjunctiva, a burning sensation, and the appearance of discharge. Less often, you can notice another symptom: different eye sizes in humans. With a prolonged inflammatory process, the location of one eye may appear higher.

In young children, a similar phenomenon may be associated with underdevelopment of muscles and nerve fibers in cervical region that affects the function of facial muscles. Visually, this can be expressed in a change in the size of the eyes.

It is important to pay attention to other symptoms that occur: if the patient has impaired pronunciation, immobilized facial muscles, paresis of the limbs occurs, then the help of a neurologist should be urgent.

One more probable cause the fact that one eye becomes smaller is an inflammatory process affecting facial nerve. Inflammation often occurs as a result of hypothermia or dental problems.

Of course, it is not always necessary to suspect a pathology: sometimes people are born with different sizes eyes, and this is their feature, which is in no way connected with the pathological condition. If the size of the eyes has changed already during life, then a doctor's consultation should be mandatory.

Character of people with different eye color

Some psychologists tend to believe that people with eyes of different colors have pronounced contradictions between their internal state and outward manifestations. Simply put, these people are not who they want to appear. Perhaps from the outside they look selfish, withdrawn, or vice versa - outrageous and even a little crazy. In most cases, all this is just external manifestations. In fact, such people often have their own hobbies, like to do household chores, they are self-possessed and patient.

It is also generally accepted that "odd-eyed" people are very sensitive and stubborn. Perhaps this is so. However, we should not forget that we are all different, with our own characteristics and characters. Therefore, parallels cannot be drawn: in humans different eyes It means he's not like everyone else. Each person is individual, regardless of the shade of his eyes.

Consequences and complications

For any reason for different eye colors, it is advisable to periodically consult with eye doctor- an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Most owners of different eyes have no problem as such - congenital heterochromia is most often absolutely harmless. But there are also exceptions to the rule. This is especially true for those patients whose eye color began to differ already at an older age.

If the eyes have become different in the process of life, then you should definitely consult a doctor. Pathological disorders, which could lead to the appearance of such a symptom, it is desirable to detect as early as possible in order to prevent the development of subsequent complications. Among the most common problems happen:

• structural disorders in the eyeball.

Of course, in no case should you panic, but you should not ignore the problem either. Observation medical specialist It certainly won't be redundant.

Diagnosis of different eye colors

Diagnosis is usually not difficult if heterochromia is hereditary. In the case when a different eye color is the only symptom, further diagnosis and treatment are not prescribed.

When a doctor suspects a pathology in a patient, he may resort to additional studies.

A consultation of highly specialized doctors is appointed: in addition to an ophthalmologist, a patient can be examined by a dermatologist, neuropathologist, oncologist, geneticist, neurosurgeon, orthopedist.

Choice of further diagnostic methods depends on which disease is suspected. It is possible to use the following types of research:

• ophthalmoscopy - examination of the fundus;
• ultrasound eyeball– study of the structure of the eye and nearby tissues, such as the lens, retina, eye muscles, retrobulbar tissue, etc.;
• pachymetry - measurement of the thickness of the cornea, which is often carried out simultaneously with biomicroscopy;
• perimetry - assessment method visual field to determine its borderline capabilities and shortcomings;
• gonioscopy - examination of the anterior chamber of the eye, which is located between the iris and cornea;
• retinal angiography - examination of the fundus and smallest vessels retina;
• electrooculography - determination of the activity of the eyeball;
• refractometry - diagnostics of the optical abilities of the eye.

Today there is great amount ophthalmological centers where any patient can pass full examination eyes. But it is better to contact only specialized clinics that have both the required diagnostic equipment and qualified specialists able to correctly explain and interpret the results of research.

Differential Diagnosis

Some pathological conditions can lead to a change in the color shade of the iris, with which differential diagnosis should be carried out.

A change in the color of the iris may be due to:

• With congenital features;
• with Horner's syndrome.

Heterochromia may accompany:

• oculo-dermal melanocytosis (nevus of Ota);
• post-traumatic siderosis;
• Sturge-Weber syndrome;
• External treatment using steroid hormones appropriate when further development painful process.
• An operation may also be needed in case of an eye injury: in order to remove a foreign body.

Any injury to the eye can provoke the development of the inflammatory process and even loss of vision. In such a situation, the doctor prescribes treatment antibacterial drops and miotics.

Forecast

Different eye color, as a rule, is a stable condition that remains with a person for life. On hit foreign object- siderosis or chalcosis, the color shade can return to its previous state, provided that all particles of the foreign body are removed.

In most cases, people with different eye colors and sizes remain so for life: restoration of iris pigmentation is considered unlikely.

Famous people with different eye colors

Many people are especially interested in external features famous people, which include actors, artists, athletes, politicians. On the Internet you can find relatively a large number of famous personalities who differ in any of the variants of heterochromia.

For example, a complete or partial version of "different eyes" has been noted in such famous people:

• Mila Kunis: on the left side she is brown-eyed, and on the right side she is blue-eyed;
• Jane Seymour: eye with right side- greenish-brown, and on the left side - green;
• Kate Bosworth: on the left - a blue eye, and on the right - bluish-brown;
• Kiefer Sutherland has sectoral heterochromia: a mixture of blue and gray color;
• David Bowie has post-traumatic heterochromia.

Historical literature points to the fact that Alexander the Great had different colored eyes. According to the description of the Greek chronicler Arrian, Macedonian was the owner of one black eye, and the other bluish.

As an example, one can cite literary characters with different eyes:

• Woland is one of the main characters in Mikhail Bulgakov's cult work The Master and Margarita;
• Vasily Semyonov is a tank commander from Janusz Przymanowski's book Four Tankers and a Dog.

What is the dream of a person with different eyes

The eyes of many people are associated with something metaphysical, symbolic and even magical. Therefore, when you see them in a dream, the illusion of some kind of sign, an indication that needs to be deciphered, subconsciously arises.

Dreams often reflect the emotional experiences of the sleeper. Therefore, the detailed details of what he saw in a dream can tell a lot - and not only about the past, but also about the future - about what fate has prepared for a person.

What can be said about a dream in which a person appears with a different color or size of eyes? As a rule, this indicates the presence in life of a connection with a deceiver and a two-faced person. Such a deceiver may turn out to be a companion, business or life partner, a close relative.

Often similar dreams dream of people with vulnerable nervous system who are in a depressed, depressed state, or feel rejected and abandoned.

One of the features of appearance that distinguishes a person from others is the color of the eyes, or rather their iris. The most common is brown eyes, the rarest is green. But there is another rarity - these are people with different eye colors. This phenomenon is called heterochromia, but it occurs not only in humans, but also in animals. Heterochromia - what is it? What are the reasons for its occurrence? You will learn about all this from this article.

What is heterochromia?

Heterochromia - what is it? With this phenomenon, a person can observe different pigmentation of the eyes. It is no secret that the color of the iris is determined by the presence and distribution of a pigment called melanin over it. If this substance is in excess or deficiency, then this can provoke a different color of the eyes. Heterochromia can be observed in only 1% of the population.

The reasons

Heterochromia - what it is, you already understood, now we will deal with the causes of this phenomenon. In most cases, it is hereditary, it can also be provoked by diseases, injuries or syndromes. Eye color can sometimes change after certain injuries or illnesses.

So let's consider possible reasons eye color changes:

• Neurofibromatosis.
• Mild inflammation that only affects one eye.
• Injury.
• Glaucoma or medicines that are used in its treatment.
• Foreign object in the eye.
• Hereditary (familial) heterochromia.
• Hemorrhage (bleeding).

Who happens?

Heterochromia - what is it, a disease or rare feature organism? This phenomenon has no effect on the quality of vision, since a person is also able to perceive and see various forms and colors, just like people with the same eye color.

Statistics have shown that the different color of the iris is mostly typical for women than for men. Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence indicating a relationship between gender and heterochromia.

The most common is central when the color change of the iris occurs towards the center.

AT rare cases heterochromia appears as a result of the development pathological processes in human body. In this case this feature is considered as a symptom and the cause of its occurrence is treated, of course, after a thorough diagnosis.

Varieties

Depending on the causes of heterochromia, it is divided into three main types: simple, complicated and mechanical. Let's consider them in more detail.

Simple

This is the simplest version of this phenomenon. In this case, the person has no other eye or systemic problems. AT this case a different color of the iris has been observed in a person since his birth, and this in no way affects his health. However, this occurrence is quite rare. It can be provoked by weakness of the cervical sympathetic nerve. In some patients, additional changes were recorded - a displacement of the eyeball, a change in skin color, a narrowing of the pupil, and ptosis of the eyelids. Sometimes weakness of the sympathetic nerve can lead to a decrease or even cessation of sweating on one side, which indicates the development of Horner's symptom.

Complicated

This variation is the result of pathological condition manifested by the development chronic lesion choroid eye. This disease can develop in young people, in most cases only one eye is affected. This disease is almost impossible to diagnose. As a rule, Fuchs syndrome is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Reduced vision.
• Cataract.
• Dystrophy of the iris.
• Small floating white formations.
• Gradual loss of vision.

Acquired

This form can be caused by eye injuries, mechanical damage, tumor formations, inflammatory lesions. Also, such heterochromia in humans (photo below) can develop due to the incorrect use of certain medicinal formulations.

Eye heterochromia - forms

As mentioned above, this phenomenon can be both hereditary and acquired. Focusing on this information, according to the degree of coloring, three main forms can be distinguished - complete, sectoral and central heterochromia in humans.

Complete

In this case, the irises of both eyes are painted in completely different colors, in other words, a person is endowed with eyes absolutely different colors, and the color of the iris has different shades. The most famous is complete heterochromia, in which one eye is blue, the other is brown.

Partial heterochromia

With this form, one eye is painted with two completely different colors. This variety is also called sectoral heterochromia. In the region of the iris of the eye, several shades can be counted simultaneously. For example, against the background of a brown iris, there may be a spot of gray or blue. It is this spot that indicates that when the child's eye color began to form and finally establish after birth, the body did not have enough melanin pigment, and as a result, the iris simply did not completely color.

Partial heterochromia in children is explained by the fact that all babies have blue-gray eyes at birth, which, as a rule, change their shade in the future. The formation of brown or darker eye color occurs later, moreover, this is possible only on one eye.

Central heterochromia

It is safe to say that this is the most common form of this phenomenon. In most cases, people do not even suspect that they have heterochromia, and are simply proud unusual color eye.

It is also worth noting that central heterochromia looks quite elegant. And if you argue that the eyes are the mirror of the soul, in people with this variety, they say a lot. This form of heterochromia does not cause discomfort, but you should still visit an ophthalmologist.

If you notice changes in the color of one or both eyes in yourself or your child, it is advisable to consult a doctor. To make sure that these changes are not a symptom of a serious illness or any medical problem, a thorough eye examination will be required.

Some syndromes and conditions associated with heterochromia, such as pigmentary glaucoma, can only be detected as a result of a thorough examination.

A complete examination will help rule out many causes of heterochromia. With absence big upset, further checks may not be required. However, if concomitant ailments are detected, the patient, depending on the diagnosis, is prescribed therapy.

It could be laser. surgical intervention, treatment with steroids, with clouding of the lens, a vitrectomy operation is prescribed. The choice of method is directly related to the causes of the disease.

It should also be noted that the color of the iris in both eyes with congenital heterochromia will never become the same. If this phenomenon is acquired in nature, then the restoration of the color of the iris is quite real. This is especially true for cases of hitting

Eyes of different colors: what to do

Eyes of different colors, what to do?

The color of a person's eyes depends on the amount of the hormone melanin. It is he who is responsible for the brightness of the shade of the iris. The color of the iris is determined after fertilization of the egg and most often depends on belonging to a particular race. But it very rarely happens that the color of one eye of a born person is radically different from the other. This phenomenon is called complete heterochromia. It happens even less often that the color of one eye has several different shades.

• Congenital heterochromia is not dangerous and is not a disease.
• This is a consequence of insufficient or excessive production of melanin.
• If a small amount of the hormone is produced, then one eye will be lighter than the other.
• Eyes of different colors in the photo look especially unnatural and strange, but nothing can be done about this feature of the body.

A feature of a person or a sign of a disease?

Another thing is if the color of a person's eyes becomes different during life. In this case, it is worth paying close attention to the reasons for the changes. It is possible, of course, that failures in the hormonal background. But sometimes a change in eye color can be a sign of various acquired diseases:

• rheumatism;
• tuberculosis;
• the formation of tumors;
• inflammation of the iris.

Also, eye color may change after ophthalmic surgical operations, during strong inflammatory processes or after taking certain medications.

Do not panic and be upset if you find yourself or your child with eyes of a different color. Why the eyes are of different colors, in this situation, an examination by a doctor will prompt. But most likely experienced specialist calm the patient. People with different eyes see no worse than others and live a normal life. full life. Among the phenomena there are many stars of world cinema and stage. For example, David Bowie acquired heterochromia after a severe injury, and Kate Bosworth and Christopher Walken received this eye color from birth.