Heterochromia

Alternative names:

different colored eyes; eyes two different colors

Home care:

Consult your health care provider.

Call your health care provider if:

(If concerned about heterochromia, consult with your health care provider during a routine visit.)

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting heterochromia in detail may include:

• Were the two different colored eyes noticed when the child was born or shortly after the birth?
• Exactly which eye appears which color?
• Are any other symptoms present?

Physical examination:
An infant with heterochromia should be examined for other problems.

Diagnostic tests:
A complete eye examination can rule out (or in) most causes of heterochromia. If there is no indication that there is a disorder, no further testing may be necessary. If another disorder is suspected, diagnostic tests may be performed to confirm the diagnosis. This may include various blood tests, chromosome studies, or others.

After seeing your health care provider:
Was a disorder diagnosed as the cause, or is it an inherited trait? If a disorder was diagnosed, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record. If the heterochromia is an inherited trait, you may still want to note it in your medical record.

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