Heterochromia

Alternative names:

different colored eyes; eyes two different colors

Definition:

The presence of different colored eyes in the same person.

Considerations:

Heterochromia is rarely seen in humans. Heterochromia appears quite commonly in dogs such as Dalmatians and Australian sheep dogs, and in cats and horses. Heterochromia in humans appears either as a hereditary trait unassociated with other disease, or as a symptom of various syndromes.

Common causes:

• familial heterochromia (autosomal dominant transmission)
• Waardenberg syndrome
• neuroblastoma (as a result of cervical sympathetic nerve compression)
• pigmentary glaucoma
• neurofibromatosis (may cause the affected iris to darken)
• acquired heterochromia is a change in the color of the iris resulting from trauma, hemorrhage, glaucoma or intraocular foreign body.

Note: There may be other causes of heterochromia. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as any associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for heterochromia, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director, Utah Health Informatics and adam.com editorial