What Is Heterochromia/Heterochromia Iridum?

Heterochromia iridis is a condition in which the iris in one eye has a different color than the iris of the other eye.       

     The iris is the tissue of the eye that surrounds the pupil and imparts a color, whether green, blue, brown, hazel, grey, or other, to the eye.

      Heterochromia iridis is to be differentiated from heterochromia (difference in color) iridum (within the iris of one eye).

      Iris color is the result of the pigment that is present in the iris.

      Brown eyes have large amounts of melanin pigment deposits, and blue eyes have a lack of melanin.

      Although eye color is inherited, the inheritance pattern is complex, with interaction of more than one gene.

      These genes interact to provide the full constellation of colors.

      Other genes may determine the pattern and placement of pigment in the iris, thereby accounting for solid brown as opposed to rays of color.

      Normally, the two irises of an individual are of the same color.

      In heterochromia, the affected eye may be hyperpigmented (darker or hyperchromic) or hypopigmented (lighter or hypochromic).

     Eye color is determined primarily by the concentration and distribution of melanin within the iris tissues.

     Thus, an attempt has been made in this Booklet to describe precisely Causes and Risk Factors, History, Diagnosis Treatment etc. along with plenty of Images and Image Gallery for better understanding of a quaint but an interesting entity for busy Medicos at one Click!

…Dr. H. K. Saboowala.

           M.B.(Bom) .M.R.S.H.(London)