Girls with different eye colors. What is heterochromia and what can eyes of different colors say about a person. What do psychologists say about this?

09.02.2022

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

How is human eye color formed?

Our genetics has only three pigments to form eye color. Yellow, blue and brown help make up all the hues we can see in nature. Some of these components are present in a larger amount, some in a smaller amount - as a result, we observe 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 affects only the appearance of a person and nothing else.

Different eye color: what is it called?

This phenomenon is so non-standard that it was carefully studied by scientists and received its own name - heterochromia. Literally, this word translates as "another color." This feature occurs in ten people per thousand, but you should not think that it catches the eye of everyone. Heterochromia can be mild and noticeable only with a careful comparison of the eyes. Often the sign is so weak that the person himself does not know about it. We see only what attracts attention - that is, the maximum differences.

Who can get 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. We 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 the eyes always perfectly asymmetrical in color?

It does not necessarily happen that one eye is specifically brown, and the other is pure blue. This phenomenon is more mysterious and non-standard. One eye can have one color, and the second one can include two at once, and the border will be contrasting and bright. This does not affect the ability to see or perceive information in any way. 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 differences.

Complete heterochromia

In this case, the eyes are endowed with separate colors, painted 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 photos on the Internet, it becomes 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, just have some spots or sectors - there is no pattern here either, it all depends on the creativity of nature. Another such variant of the anomalous phenomenon is called a sector.

Circular heterochromia

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

Heredity

The simplest option is to get multi-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, unusual. It’s just that some kind of mutation occurred during the data transfer, which caused this feature. But not everything is as happy as it might seem at once. The next factor is added to heredity, which must certainly be taken into account.

Some diseases

Among the diseases that cause this phenomenon, we can distinguish: Horner's syndrome, type 1 neurofibromatosis, 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 in themselves that are not really related. The most correct approach is to go to a doctor who will conduct the necessary studies and will decide for himself whether it is worth worrying about.

Eye injury

A person can get an eye injury in any circumstances - at home, in an accident, in a fight, etc. In this case, a color change may also follow. 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 failures in the genetic material, nothing can be done. But you should not be upset about this either: eyes of different colors look very interesting, unusual and attract the attention of people.

People have different color eyes increasingly common, irrespective of gender and age. The cause of such an anomaly can be both trauma and a congenital feature.

Since ancient times, people with different eyes were considered dangerous to everyone around. There were legends and beliefs about people with eyes of different colors. What signs and superstitions are known about people with an unusual eye color?

Previously, people with different eye colors were considered the children of the devil, since the devil was always depicted with one blue and one black eye. Women who gave birth to children with this feature were suspected of being connected with the devil.

It was also believed that people with different eye colors are capable of jinxing. They were called "eyed" and feared. If a house or livestock burned down in a village, then all the accusations always fell on the owner of unusual eyes.

Today, when humanity has long moved away from superstition, people with different eyes are considered lucky. Still would! For several centuries, they were exterminated, equating them with sorcerers and witches, so to preserve such heredity is a real success!

Why do people have different eyes

The phenomenon of multi-colored eyes in science is called heterochomy. Such a phenomenon cannot be called a disease or a magical sign. According to scientists, there is nothing mystical about people with different eye colors. It all depends on the excess or lack of melanin pigment in the iris, which is responsible for their color. Such a phenomenon does not affect the visual ability of a person in any way, and they have the same visual acuity as everyone else. Heterochomy can also occur during life due to eye injury.

What does different eye color mean?

People with different eye colors undoubtedly attract a lot of attention. It is easier for such people to stand out from the crowd, to find contact with people around them, or to impose a veil of secrecy on their own person. Many believe that multi-colored eyes help to achieve their goals in life. There is also an opinion that people with different eye colors have a very developed intuition and are able to see through others.

Heterochomy appears not only in humans. Often this phenomenon occurs in cats. Having a cat with different eye colors is considered a good omen. Such an animal brings happiness to the house.

If you, your acquaintances, friends or your child have different eyes, then there is nothing hazardous to health. This is the highlight that distinguishes a person from other people! Good luck and don't forget to press the buttons and

10.12.2014 09:13

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Heterochromia (from the Greek heteros - “other”, chromos - “color”) is the difference in colors of the left and right eyes or the heterogeneity of color distribution in one eye. This is due to the lack or excess of melanin content in the iris of one eye compared to the other. Moreover, such an anomaly occurs in only 2% of the world's population.

The shade of the iris is formed immediately after the birth of a child during the first half of the year - this is the process of saturation of the eye iris with melanin, after a year to two years, a stable eye color is established. At the same time, the more hormone in the iris, the color will be richer and darker. But melanin can be distributed unevenly in the eyes, which will cause the appearance of heterochromia.

Causes

In the vast majority of cases, the occurrence of eye heterochromia is caused by heredity, but there are also cases of occurrence after mechanical damage and diseases.

The main reasons include:

Waardenburg syndrome - uneven distribution of melanin in the upper layer of the iris.
Neurofibromatosis - stopping the distribution of melanin.
Inflammation of a non-critical nature in only one eye.
Traumatic lesions of the iris.
Treatment of glaucoma or its presence in the shell.
Finding foreign objects in the eye.
Genetic or hereditary.
Hemorrhages in the eyeball or sclera.

Who may experience

Statistical studies of the issue made it possible to determine that the absolute number of heterochromic manifestations was found in women. But there is no scientific justification that the sexual characteristic is the cause of the phenomenon.

But it is in men that eye heterochromia is of the most interesting nature. Atypical varieties are observed, which will be written below.

Varieties

In addition to the most typical type - a simple one, others stand out, characterizing more developed forms and abnormal manifestations of heterochromia.

Simple

The most common occurrence of the phenomenon. Heterochromia occurs from birth and is not associated with other possible eye or vision disorders. It is expressed by the fact that one eye can be green (blue, gray), and the second must be brown in different shades. In addition to the genetic nature of the prerequisites, it can also be caused by weakness of the cervical bundle of nerves. This condition is characterized by Horner's syndrome. Patients have astigmatism and or slight peripheral strabismus in the "lighter" eye.

Complicated

The main prerequisite for such a phenomenon is Fuchs syndrome, which is characterized by a strong inflammatory process in the upper layers of the iris and sclera. One eye is affected, and it is associated with a sharp drop in vision and a "lightening" of color due to the saturation of the eye with lymphatic compounds. Diagnosis of the disease is difficult, it is almost impossible to treat. The main etymologies of symptoms include:

Sudden decrease in vision. That is, vision decreases jerkily over different periods of time.
The lens becomes cloudy
The iris is anemic.
Cloudy formations appear in the iris, as if the iris becomes "speckled".
Gradual blindness of the eye.

Acquired

Inflammation, tumors, swelling or traumatic lesions can lead to the development of this type of anomaly. The abuse of chemicals and pharmacological agents can similarly harm the iris, changing its color to lighter shades from a burn.

Forms of heterochromia

It has been found that heterochromia can be acquired or present from birth. According to the form of coloration and the location of the “spot of coloration”, the phenomenon can be divided into various forms.

Complete

The simplest case is complete heterochromia. A person has eyes of different colors, but anatomically and aesthetically, each eye individually is correct and without aberrations. The most common are brown and blue eyes in a pair.

Partial heterochromia

It is caused by staining one eye in different colors. The so-called sectoral heterochromia of the eye. The iris can be divided by flowers in half, in quarters, or have wavy borders, which is extremely rare. This is due to the uneven distribution of melanin even during the formation of color in the first six months of life. In this case, the iris may not have a color of the water scale, but, for example, be brown-gray or green-brown.

Partial heterochromia can be observed in the period from six months to two years, and then the state of the distribution of melanin normalizes.

Central heterochromia

This form is most common in people with the phenomenon of eye color. Usually characterized by a change in the color of the iris of one eye. The most acceptable aesthetic appearance. It also happens that the color in the eyes spreads in rings around the pupil. This is reminiscent of the rainbow effect, when in one eye there are two rings of different colors, and the second eye is colored monotonously. There are no more than a dozen such people all over the world.

metallose

The most unique appearance caused by mechanical damage. Often occurs in cases of damage to the eye by copper or bronze scale, but can also be caused by the ingress of iron filings. A thin sawdust falls into the upper layer of the iris or sclera. The sclera is not sensitive, and if there is no discomfort, then scale of a few microns remains in the iris. When the scale is placed in the iris environment for a long time, which is a humid environment, it oxidizes and pigment is formed. This pigment causes the iris to change color in patches. Usually the eye takes on a rusty green or light green tint. When the scale is removed, the anomaly does not stop. The pigment does not disappear from the eye.

Heterochromia in animals

The phenomenon is most common in animals, and species diversity is observed. Almost all fauna, except for birds and reptiles, can be prone to eye coloration.

In cats, the case is detected with a completely black, white or smoky color without color blotches. This is due to a genetic error in the formation of coat color. Since the color of the cat's coat and eyes is formed by the presence of melanin.
In dogs, it occurs only in polar dog breeds, such as huskies or malamutes.

The only difference from humans is that the anomaly in animals is of a strict complete nature without sectors or areas.

Reason for concern?

The phenomenon itself is considered abnormal and atypical for the structure of the human eye, but at the same time, if it is not caused by diseases or damage, then in itself it is not a cause for concern. In order to exclude all possible associated complications, a medical examination is a priority. It will be carried out in order to detect hereditary diseases and anomalies in the development of the body. With hereditary causes, often a different eye color is adjacent to a gray strand of hair on the crown or forehead. A similar condition is observed when the human skin is evenly covered with a coffee-milk stain or focal coating. The sclera and iris of the eye are also covered.

It is also necessary to implement an appeal to the clinic with minimal damage to the eye by specks, scales or as a result of strong blows to the head and eyeballs. Concussions are the most common indication for an eye examination.

Diagnosis and treatment

It should be noted that the phenomenon itself cannot be characterized as a disease. But in order to identify the consequences and causes that may be outpatient in nature, it is necessary to conduct a thorough examination by an ophthalmologist.

Types of ophthalmological examinations

Biomicroscopy - a slit lamp is used for this method. The object of study is the shallow primary layer of the iris. Illumination can be used to examine the structure of the iris for foreign bodies, inclusions, clots, or lesions. The primary method for identifying the prerequisites of heterochromia.
- a study aimed at studying the system of capillaries and the retina of the eye. During the procedure, there is no contact with the eye, a removed lens is used. With absolute accuracy allows the detection of docked vessels and capillaries.
Electrophysiological study (EPS) - allows you to effectively evaluate the state of the pupil, the lens and identify the chemical balance of the vitreous body and iris by external signs. Primarily, a judgment can be made on the amount of melanin in the eye. The eye is exposed to a point electrical impact in a thousandth of a percent of power. In this case, there is a thickening of the color or the identification of blotches. When removing the sense, the clots resolve within a few minutes.
Campimetry - determination of the reaction of the eye to various levels of light and color. The study is performed using a special white screen. Color markers appear on the screen in a chaotic manner, the brightness of which increases and decreases. At this point, an active study of the reaction of the iris and pupil with the help of a lens is in progress. The fact is that eyes with different colors of the iris can perceive the color of the world around them differently. What is Dalton's Syndrome. The method with absolute success allows diagnosing glaucoma.

Ultrasound examination of the eyeball () - if there is mechanical damage to the eye on the face, then an ultrasound examination is performed. The method allows you to examine the eyeball from the inside and also thin outer layers.

Results

All research methodology can be used both separately and in combination. Often a comprehensive study is carried out in order to more accurately determine the prerequisites and consequences of heterochromia.

Depending on the cause that led to heterochrony, doctors prescribe adequate therapeutic or surgical treatment. Congenital pathology cannot be subjected to medical correction, only colored contact lenses are applicable.

A person's eyes are the mirror of his soul. Someone has blue and kind, green with a cunning, burning and black, melancholy and gray, and someone has heterochrome and multi-colored. All people are individual in their appearance, but only “healthy heterochromia” is an image of individuality given by nature itself. The main thing to know is that the anomaly of multi-colored eyes is not a reason for complexes and dissatisfaction with oneself.

Whenever we meet a person, we first look into his eyes. It is by them that we determine the inner feelings of the interlocutor to us, evaluate the beauty of their color, and also predict the character and even the fate of a person, but why do people have different eye colors? Let's figure it out.

Why does a person's eye color change from a medical point of view

The human eye is a complex and very fragile organ. It is the lens through which our brains can capture colors and information.

The color palette is affected by both genetic features. Our eyes have two layers of irises. It is the peculiarity of the distribution of the color pigment and its density that affect the manifestation of the color of the second layer (eyes).

Why does a person's eye color change - exceptions

It happens that the genetically incorporated eye color mutates. A person can have multi-colored eyes (one is blue, the other is green). This is called heterochromia. Its degree is classified as:

partial;
average;
complete.

For some, this is a unique feature to stand out, while for others, on the contrary, it brings discomfort. The best way out for complete heterochromia is to purchase contact lenses of the right shade.

Also, color features include people with red eyes - albinos. They completely lack the pigment melanin in the body. Due to this, the iris shell has a transparent surface, and the vessels of the eyes located in it become visible.

Very rare - purple eyes. Their combination is obtained due to the presence of red and blue pigment. Which in symbiosis gives a purple color.

So we looked at why people have different eye colors. As you can see from everything - color variations directly depend on both genetic factors and residence.

The human eye has the shape of a ball, due to the somewhat convex front. The eyeball is located inside, which is lined with a depreciation fat layer. Anatomically, the eye is an internal gelatinous nucleus surrounded by three membranes. Its outer shell - - is the most dense, the front transparent part of it is called the sclera. The middle (vascular) membrane includes the actual, ciliary body and. The iris looks like a flat ring and delimits the anterior and posterior. There is a hole in its center. It is the iris that determines the color of a person's eyes. The inner shell of the eyeball is called, here are light and color-perceiving elements.

What determines the color of a person's eyes

The iris is a practically impenetrable structure for light. The content of melanin pigment in it, as well as its distribution, determines the color of a person's eyes - it can be from light blue to dark brown and almost black. It is extremely rare for a congenital pathology - albinism - the iris does not have melanin, and due to translucence in its blood vessels, the eye may have a red color. Albinos suffer because the iris does not protect the eyes from excess light rays. People with blue eyes have little melanin in the iris, while people with dark eyes have a lot. Eye color is determined by heredity, and the overall pattern and shade are individual.

In newborns, the eye color in most cases is light. The final color is formed during the first two years of life. Among the peoples of the northern regions, light eye color is more common, residents of the south often have dark eyes, in the middle lane light brown, gray-green color prevails. Such features allow a person to better adapt to life in conditions of bright illumination and a large number of rays reflected from the surface of snow and ice.

Eye color and its meaning

Despite many beliefs and legends regarding the characteristics of people with different eye colors, in practice, such patterns are usually not confirmed. For example, neither intellectual ability nor visual acuity depend on eye color.

Aristotle believed that a person with dark green or brown eyes has a choleric temperament, with blue eyes - a phlegmatic, and with dark gray - a melancholic. It is believed that people with dark eyes have strong immunity, are distinguished by endurance, perseverance, but can have an explosive temperament and be overly irritable. People with gray eyes have perseverance in achieving their goals, determination, with blue eyes they endure adversity more easily, brown-eyed people are closed, and with green eyes they are distinguished by concentration, constancy, determination.

A well-known historical fact is that blue eyes are a hallmark of the Aryans - representatives of the true Nordic race. The German theorist G. Müller is the author of the well-known expression: “A healthy German with brown eyes is unthinkable, but Germans with brown or black eyes are either hopelessly ill, or not Germans at all.” In the east, it is believed that only light-eyed people can “jinx”, while in the middle lane they say this about dark brown and black eyes.

Eyes of different colors

Rarely, one person's eye color can be different. This is called heterochromia. The left and right eyes may have a completely different color (complete heterochromia), or the color of only part of the iris may differ (sectoral heterochromia). This condition may be acquired or congenital. This phenomenon has many literary references, and perhaps the most famous character in different eye colors is Bulgakov's Woland.