Does a person have different eyes? Why do all people have different colored eyes? Classification and causes

It is not so common to see people with different eye colors on the street; only one 1% of the world's inhabitants have such a phenomenal detail in their appearance. In ancient times, those with such a feature as a multi-colored iris were treated with great caution, believing that such an anomaly was fraught with something magical. Now people with different-colored eyes know that this condition is called heterochromia, and it is provoked by completely understandable reasons.

Why are the eyes different?

Scientists have studied and proven that different eyes in humans is a pathological phenomenon called heterochromia. The causes of the occurrence depend on the excess or deficiency of the melanin pigment in the iris of the eye, which determines the color of the organ of vision. A common reason for such a phenomenal phenomenon in human appearance is considered to be heredity. Heterochromia can also be caused by acquired factors, including:

Waardenburg syndrome. A severe form of a genetic disease, which is characterized by a chaotic arrangement of the inner corners of the eyes, different colors of the iris, and partial deafness.
Eye inflammation. Inflammatory process in the iris. The cause may be such serious pathologies as tuberculosis, oncology and complicated forms of influenza.
Glaucoma. Therapy for such a disease requires treatment with an extensive list of medications. A large number of medications can affect the production of melanin, and this may cause discoloration.
Foreign body. In case of mechanical injury, when a foreign object is in the eye apparatus for a long time, the color of the iris may change. This process can be prevented by timely removal of the foreign body and proper drug treatment.
Ocular hemorrhage. Occurs most often due to high eye pressure. Due to the accumulation of blood in the iris, the color changes.

What types are there?

Most often you can find owners of complete heterochromia, which is striking.

The form of the disease is characterized by two-colored eyes; they have completely different colors. This type of disease is considered the most common, and most often people are born with a genetic pathology. It is almost impossible to acquire this form of heterochromia. It is an absolute contrast when two eyes are different colors, for example blue and brown, green and black.

Partial

It is also called sector. This species is characterized by not one, but two colors of the same iris. This means that the eye has two or three colors: it can be brown, gray and blue, blue with white splashes. Often this type of heterochromia occurs as a result of mechanical trauma and is a complication of a previous illness.

Central

Another name for heterochromia is circular. With this form, the iris of the shell consists of several circles and they clearly differ in color. According to the results of numerous studies, it was found that this type of pathology is more common in women, and less common in the stronger half of humanity.

If a child has different eyes at birth, this is a hereditary disease, and there is no reason to panic. If the iris has changed color as a result of a serious illness or mechanical injury, the patient needs to urgently consult a doctor.

Most often we pay attention to the eyes when we meet someone. It’s not for nothing that they are called the mirror of the soul. And, of course, we immediately notice their color. Unusual, bright shades of the iris always attract attention. We are used to the fact that the left and right eyes are the same color. But it happens that they are different, for example, brown and green.

Our iris has several primary colors: brown, gray, blue, blue, green, black, olive, amber (walnut). The most common eye color on earth is brown, since its carriers are representatives of two large races that make up the main population of the planet - Negroid and Mongoloid. The rarest color of the iris is green, found in only 2% of the world's inhabitants. There are also different variations, such as turquoise or emerald. But there is another rare category of people who have eyes of different colors. These can be the following options: blue and brown, green and gray and others. This anomaly is called heterochromia, and it occurs in only 1% of the population.

What is ocular heterochromia?

Heterochromia is a different color of the iris in the left and right eyes or heterogeneous coloring of areas of the iris in one of them. Its tone is determined by the concentration and distribution of melanin in the anterior (mesodermal) layer. In the case of heterochromia of the eyes, this pigment is either lacking, or, conversely, it is present in excess. In the vast majority of cases, this is a congenital anomaly, and only sometimes (for example, with cataracts, trauma to the visual organs, hemorrhage in the tissue of the visual organs, Fuchs syndrome and for other reasons) melanin pigmentation may be disrupted. Acquired heterochromia can be corrected with surgery, but congenital heterochromia cannot be cured. This disease also has various forms.

Types of heterochromia of the eyes in humans

This pigmentation disorder also has several varieties that differ visually and also have different causes and consequences.

Complete heterochromia

The most common type is when a person has two evenly colored irises of different colors. The most common variations are a combination of brown and green, brown and blue. This is a congenital feature that does not pose a danger to the visual organs. With it, a person sees as well as people with the same color eyes.

Sector heterochromia (partial)

It is caused by the coloring of one of the eyes in different tones. With this form of heterochromia of the iris, there can be any number of options: in half, in quarters, there are wavy borders (a rare case). This is due to the uneven distribution of melanin during the formation of color in the first six months of life.

Heterochromia central

With this deviation, several distinct rings of different colors can be distinguished. It looks quite original, and some people do not even suspect that they have a rare anomaly of iris pigmentation, proud of their unusual eyes.

Metallosous heterochromia

A rare species caused by mechanical damage. Occurs when metal particles (bronze, copper) enter the upper layer of the iris or sclera. Such a foreign body, several microns in size, is insensitive to the eye. Over time, the iron element, being in a humid environment, begins to oxidize and leads to the formation of a pigment, usually a rusty green or light green hue. Even when the scale is removed, the phenomenon does not disappear. Typically, this type of anomaly occurs in people involved in the production of metals.

Heterochromia in animals

Almost all fauna, except birds and reptiles, are susceptible to this unusual phenomenon. Among domestic animals, it occurs in black or white cats, and in dogs only of certain breeds, for example, huskies or malamutes. Unlike heterochromia in humans, animals have only one type of this disorder - complete, sectoral or central are absent.

What can heterochromia mean for eye health?

The amount of melanin in the iris, of course, cannot in any way affect the quality of vision. But there are cases when a change in pigmentation is caused by a disease, for example, Fuchs syndrome (which can lead to the development of cataracts or glaucoma), siderosis or chalcosis (copper salts entering the iris). If you notice a change in its color, then this is a reason to consult a doctor to find out the reasons. This fact indicates that some kind of disturbance has occurred in the functioning of the body, and this is only an indicator. With congenital heterochromia, nothing threatens the eyes.

Heterochromia of human eyes: how to treat?

Let us say right away that if this anomaly is congenital, then it cannot be treated or corrected. With the help of surgery, you can only get rid of this defect acquired due to any reason. In all other cases, there is a high probability that your iris color will be restored, but this, again, depends on the reason. With the above-mentioned metallic heterochromia, it will no longer be possible to correct it. Despite this, many people consider this feature even piquant and are proud of being different from the rest. Central or sector heterochromia looks especially unusual and interesting.

Many celebrities are also not shy about heterochromia. For example, Mila Kunis, Mila Jovovich, Demi Moore and other famous Hollywood stars have eyes of different colors and believe that this unusual fact to some extent even contributed to their popularity, attracting attention. For filming, they use contact vision correction, and the rest of the time they feel great.

Contact lenses for heterochromia correction

The simplest and safest method to correct this violation is to use modern decorative optics. Manufacturers of ophthalmic products offer a huge range of contact tint and colored lenses that can be used to hide this defect. Some people with complete heterochromia (for example, one eye is blue and the other is brown) buy models of the colors they are looking for and change the iris the way they want it. If a person is nearsighted or farsighted, he can purchase lenses with the appropriate diopters. If you have good vision, you can simply select the 0.00 option with zero optical power.

So, heterochromia - a congenital disorder of pigmentation of the iris - does not threaten any health consequences if it is not the result of any internal diseases or mechanical damage. People with this disease themselves have different attitudes towards it. Some people consider this a piquant feature and do not hide it; others wear decorative lenses to hide different eyes. But congenital heterochromia of the iris shell can be called rather a rare, unique gift of nature. Many people born with it are gifted, creative individuals, and the above example proves this.

Eyes play a huge role in a person's appearance. Some people even wear lenses of a different color to completely change their look. But there are cases when no lenses are needed to attract attention. You've probably noticed men and women whose eye colors are different. And if you have been wondering why people have different eye colors and what it means, we will be happy to answer it.

How is a person's eye color formed?

Our genetics has only three pigments to form eye color. Yellow, blue and brown help make up all the shades we see in nature. Some of these components are present in larger quantities, some in smaller quantities - as a result, we see brown, gray, green, blue eyes. Almost always they are completely identical in appearance, but there are also unusual options when the color is completely different. We hasten to assure you: this difference only affects a person’s appearance and nothing else.

Different eye colors: what is it called?

This phenomenon is so unusual that it was carefully studied by scientists and received its own name - heterochromia. Literally this word translates as “different color”. This feature occurs in ten people out of a thousand, but you should not think that it is striking in everyone. Heterochromia can be mild and noticeable only with careful comparison of the eyes. Often the sign is so weak that the person himself is not aware of it. We see only what attracts attention, that is, the maximum differences.

Who may have heterochromia?

This phenomenon occurs in both men and women. But studies have shown that the latter are much more likely to have different eye colors. Let's consider this a plus, because many ladies want to be unique and inimitable. But heterochromia is not a privilege of human appearance. It also manifests itself in animals: dogs, cats, horses.

Are eyes always perfectly asymmetrical in color?

It does not necessarily happen that one eye is specifically brown and the other is purely blue. This phenomenon is more mysterious and non-standard. One eye can have one color, and the second can include two at once, and the border will be contrasting and bright. This does not in any way affect the ability to see or the perception of information. If a person did not know that he had such a feature, he would never even feel that something was wrong. Let's take a closer look at the types of disagreement.

Complete heterochromia

In this case, the eyes are endowed with separate colors and are colored evenly. The contrast is usually quite bright. The most common combination in nature is blue and brown. At the same time, animals have exactly the same pattern. If you look at photographs on the Internet, it will become clear: other combinations are much less common.

Partial heterochromia

We have already talked about this phenomenon. It involves partial staining on the same eye. The iris can be half colored, or simply have some spots or sectors - there is no pattern here either, it all depends on the creativity of nature. Another variant of the anomalous phenomenon is called sector.

Circular heterochromia

This is the rarest, most unique option. In this case, the iris is colored as if in rings that are layered on top of each other. A person who has such a feature will definitely attract attention - and in an era when everyone strives for popularity, he can even make his highlight part of the PR.

Heredity

The simplest option is to get different-colored eyes as a result of heredity. But this does not mean that such a trait will be transmitted from parents to children in the same family. Even among relatives, the phenomenon is most often unique and unusual. It’s just that some kind of mutation occurred during data transfer, which caused this feature. But not everything is as happy as it might seem at first. Added to heredity is the following factor, which must be taken into account.

Some diseases

Among the diseases that cause this phenomenon are: Horner's syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1, pigment dispersion, Waardenburg syndrome, Piebaldism, siderosis, brain tumor, melanoma, iridocyclitis. You can read about all these diseases on the Internet, but we do not recommend doing this - many people immediately begin to find symptoms that are not relevant in reality. The most correct approach is to go to a doctor, who will conduct the necessary research and make his own conclusion about whether you should worry.

Eye injuries

A person can get an eye injury in any circumstances - in everyday life, an accident, a fight, etc. In this case, a change in color may also occur. Sometimes this is the only outcome of an unpleasant situation, which is good news, because in other cases the consequences are even worse.

Can heterochromia be cured?

This phenomenon can be treated only when it appears as a result of the same injury or acquired disease. Then, in some cases, it is possible to restore the previous pigmentation if all negative factors are eliminated. When the phenomenon is hereditary and is the result of small malfunctions in the genetic material, nothing can be done. But you shouldn’t be upset about this: eyes of different colors look very interesting, unusual and attract people’s attention.

In genetics, there are only three pigments that can form the color of the human iris - blue, yellow and brown. Depending on the quantity and proportions of each pigment, a certain eye color is formed. In most cases, both eyes are the same in color and do not differ from each other visually, but it happens that the color of the iris can be different on the right and left sides. People with such an anomaly are the object of a whole host of different folk signs and predictions, but usually such an unusual appearance does not carry any additional manifestations. We invite you to get acquainted with this feature of the human body in more detail.

What are the different eye colors in people called?

The color of the iris is determined by the type of distribution, directly by the presence and concentration of melanin - the pigment. As already mentioned, a specific tone is formed by mixing three main pigments. Different eye colors are considered a very unusual phenomenon, although 10 out of 1000 people have this feature to one degree or another. The scientific name for the phenomenon is heterochromia, which literally means “different color.” This occurs not only in humans, but also in some animals, including cats, dogs and horses.

It is worth noting that the described concept implies not only a different color of the right and left eyes, but also a partial change in pigmentation in one of the eyes. Sometimes there are differences in color, but they are not contrasting, so in some cases heterochromia can only be noticed by carefully looking at the person in good lighting. Statistics say that representatives of the fair sex are more likely than men to have this anomaly.

It is immediately worth noting that the phenomenon itself does not pose any threat to human health and in no way affects its visual abilities. People with heterochromia see the world in the same colors and in the same way as people with the same coloring of the irises of both eyes. Many popular actors also have, which not only does not interfere with them, but emphasizes their uniqueness and even increases recognition.

Types of disagreement

Heterochromia occurs in various forms depending on the degree of its severity and the reasons for its appearance. Thus, the following types of abnormal staining are distinguished:

complete heterochromia. In such a situation, each eye has its own separate color and uniform coloration. The most common case is a combination of blue and brown;
partial or sectoral. This type of coloring implies the presence of several shades on the same eye. So, on the iris there may be spots or entire sectors that differ from the main color of the eyes;
circular is the most rare. With it, the iris has several distinct color rings.

The changes can be either congenital (that is, some people are born with this unique iris color) or pathological, when the changes are associated with disease or injury.

Causes of different colored eyes in humans

The simplest and safest source of abnormal iris coloration is heredity. In this case, we can talk about a simple form that does not entail any systemic or local violations. It is transmitted as a cellular mutation that occurs immediately after fertilization of the egg. It is not at all necessary that the phenomenon will be passed on from generation to generation; it can become rare and unusual even within the same family. However, a congenital anomaly can also be a symptom of a hereditary disease, so in this case it is not worth leaving the child without diagnosis, especially if there are any additional symptoms.

However, the anomaly can occur not only from birth, it can be acquired during life under the influence of certain factors. Thus, the complicated form of heterochromia implies that it is an element of the symptom complex of the disease and is accompanied by other symptoms. Depending on the specific disease, this may include blurred vision, white spots in the field of vision, or degenerative changes in the iris of the eye.

Traumatic damage to the organ, previous ophthalmological diseases, inflammatory processes, tumor formations - all this can also cause heterochromia in humans. Undoubtedly, a change in the color of the iris is one of the most favorable outcomes of the events described, since many of them can not only lead to loss of vision, but also cause death. It is worth noting that changes can also be a consequence of the use of eye drops to reduce pressure inside the eye from glaucoma - they stimulate the synthesis of melanin and can cause a change in color.

What diseases can cause heterochromia of the eye shell?

“Different eyes” can be caused by both congenital and acquired diseases. Possible pathologies include:

Horner's syndrome is a consequence of damage to the sympathetic nervous system. In addition to changes in the color of the iris (most often the “owners” of the symptom are child patients), there is drooping of the eyelids, narrowing of the pupil, disruption of its normal reaction to light exposure, and sunken eyes;
neurofibromatosis type 1 is a hereditary disease that significantly increases a person’s risk of developing dangerous tumors. Typical symptoms include pigment spots on the skin, scoliosis, learning difficulties and so-called Lisch nodules in the iris of the eye. In this case, what visually looks like partial heterochromia is actually pigmented nodular neoplasms of a benign type;
pigment dispersion - a problem associated with loss of pigmentation on the back surface of the iris, which is reflected on the front surface;
Waardenburg syndrome is a hereditary disease that is accompanied by displacement of the inner corner of the eye, hearing loss from birth, the presence of a gray strand above the forehead and various types of heterochromia;
Hirschsprung's disease;
piebaldism - a person with this diagnosis has white spots on the body (including the eyes) from birth, completely devoid of pigment;
iron deposits in the tissues of the eye - siderosis;
a tumor that can also be localized in the brain;
melanoma can also in some cases provoke a change in the color of the iris;
Fuchs' iridocyclitis. The phenomenon explains the dependence of inflammation inside the eye and subsequent atrophy of the iris, which leads to “difference of eyes.”

What to do and how to treat heterochromia?

Any situation requires careful study and diagnosis of the causes before taking any measures. Heterochromia is no exception, because it can be provoked by a wide variety of diseases, and in some cases the phenomenon is only a feature of the development of the eye and does not require any intervention at all. Once a diagnosis is made, which is especially easy if additional specific symptoms are present, appropriate treatment is prescribed, which may involve a wide variety of methods: from medication to surgery. It is worth noting that genetic diseases cannot be treated, and, for example, the inflammatory process will require the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics. In people whose discordant eyes were caused by an acquired disease, it is quite possible to restore the natural color of the iris after treatment.

Video: why people have different eye colors

What is the reason for different eyes in people? In what forms does this anomaly occur? Is it hazardous to health? The answers to all these questions can be found in this video, the author of which provides simple and understandable explanations. An entertaining format and brevity will help you focus on the main point.

Photos of people with different eye colors

Have you ever seen in your life what women and men look like with different eye colors? If so, then most likely you remembered it, because such a phenomenon does not occur often and looks very unusual, automatically attracting the eye. Thanks to the photo, you can see how interesting this anomaly is and in what an amazing variety of forms it can manifest itself.

If in the poorly educated Middle Ages a person was suddenly born with different-colored eyes, he would have to endure persecution and humiliation all his life, and hear curses addressed to him. The mothers of these unfortunates also suffered greatly; they were suspected of having a love affair with an unclean spirit, as a result of which a demonic child was born. Of course, all these superstitions have nothing to do with reality, it’s just that previously what was terrifying and had no explanation was attributed to the tricks of evil spirits.

Fortunately, in our time, eyes of different colors do not cause such negative emotions as in the Middle Ages. Scientists working in the field of genetics were able to find out the cause and mechanism of this phenomenon. Abnormal pigmentation of the iris is a genetic disease that is passed down from generation to generation and appears in a random manner.

Heterochromia - an amazing phenomenon or a disease?

People with different eye colors make up only one percent of the total population of the planet. Translated from Greek, Heteros chroma means “different color”. This rare anomaly occurs as a result of a mutation that occurs after the fusion of an egg with a sperm. Different eye colors result from an imbalance of melanin, which is the pigment in the iris.

People with this amazing feature visually perceive images and colors just like others. Heterochromia does not impair vision, does not affect human health in any way and allows you to lead the same lifestyle as people with eyes of the same color. Interestingly, the eyes of all newborns have the same color, but if the baby was genetically destined to be born with such a highlight, it will not appear until a few weeks later.

Forms and types of heterochromia

Scientists use the following classification of forms.

Congenital - inherited, manifests itself almost from birth.
Acquired - occurs after a serious injury, is a complication after an illness. May be a side effect of taking certain medications.
Central - the color of the area around the pupils and the color of the iris are different.
Complete - the eyes differ radically from each other in the color of the iris.
Partial - the iris has a green or blue color, and there are also visible inclusions of brown on it.

If this genetic anomaly manifests itself only in changes in the color of the irises, there is no need to prescribe medication or undergo surgery. Alternatively, people who want to correct this deficiency can be advised to use contact lenses, which can give any color to a person’s eyes.

What do psychologists say about this?

In our time people have different eye colors, what it is called and in what forms it manifests itself is already thoroughly known. According to clinical studies and observations, heterochromia occurs much more often in females than in males. Psychologists have identified the following common characteristics of the owners of this rare zest: contradictory character, increased capriciousness and stubbornness. It can be difficult to find an approach to people with a “multi-colored” look; they are very demanding of others, often like to be alone and hide their difficulties and problems. Positive character traits include generosity, honesty, kindness and patience.

Among famous personalities there are also people with eyes of different colors. This is Mila Kunis, Christopher Walken, David Bowie. Despite its genetic nature, heterochromia is not a dangerous disease that can affect a person’s health and lifestyle.