Heterochromia

PRESENTATION BY: MATTHEW KEELING

 What is Heterochromia
 Heterochromia is a condition that is mostly
acquired from birth where the irises are different
colors.
 Heterochromia normally comes in three different
types.
 Most cases of heterochromia are mild and have
little to no affect on health.
 This is caused by hyperpigmentation or
hypopigmentation in the eyes. Eye color is
determined mostly by the amount of melanin. This
is also determined by chromosomes.
 The Three Types
 The most notable type of heterochromia is complete
heterochromia. This is where one eye’s color is different
without any other colors mixed in, than the other.
 Partial Heterochromia is when part of one eye is a different
color than the rest of it.
 Central Heterochromia is when the inner ring of the iris is
different color than the outer area of the iris.
 Heterochromia in infants
 Heterochromia acquired at birth is approximately
6 out 1000 but, most of the time it is hardly
noticeable and unassociated with any other
abnormality.
 It is usually caused by genetics and is associated
with as congenital syndrome.
 Many causes that tend to follow heterochromia
are Horner’s Syndrome, Sturge-Weber Syndrome,
Piebaldism, and Bourneville disease.
 An infant with Heterochromia should be examined
by an ophthalmologist and a pediatrician to
check for other disorders or problems.
 Acquired means of Heterochromia
 The inflammation of the iritis or anterior uveitis of any cause, can
be from tuberculosis and sarcoidosis.
 Pigment dispersion syndrome, which is a loss of pigment from the
posterior surface of the iris. The pigment gets dispersed
throughout the interior of the eye and deposited on different
intraocular structures. This includes the anterior of the of the
surface iris causing it to darken. This also cause pigmentary
glaucoma.
 Trauma, either blunt force or penetrating may cause unilateral
lightening of the iris.
 Ocular Melanosis, which is when increased pigmentation around
the eye and surrounding tissue.
 Possible Treatment

 If it is secondary to another underlying condition, then treatment will

be directed at that condition.
 In certain situations when major cosmetic impairment are present a
tinted contact lens can be used to darken the lighter appearing
eye or vice versa. Sometimes two contacts are given to find an
average color for each eye.
 The overall prognosis is that there are little to no visual complaints.
Most cases are extremely mild and unassociated with other eye
diseases.
 Citations

 Turbert, David. “Heterochromia.” American Academy of

Ophthalmology, American Academy of Optamology, 5 Jan. 2018,
www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-heterochromia.
 Dahl, Andrew A. “Heterochromia Iridis Causes, Types & Rarity.”
MedicineNet, 27 Nov. 2017,
www.medicinenet.com/heterochromia_iridis/article.htm.
 Penning, Christa. “Citelighter Is the Fast, Fun, and Easy Way to Do
Research.” Citelighter,
www.citelighter.com/science/health/knowledgecards/heterochro
mia-iridum.