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Heterochromia
Definition:
Heterochromia is the presence of different colored eyes in the same person.
Alternative Names:
Differently colored eyes; Eyes - different colors
Considerations:
Heterochromia is uncommon in humans, but quite common in dogs (such as Dalmatians and Australian sheep dogs), cats, and horses.
Common Causes:
Most cases of heterochromia are hereditary, caused by a disease or syndrome, or due to an injury. Sometimes one eye may change color following certain diseases or injuries.
Specific causes include:
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Familial heterochromia (
autosomal dominant
transmission)
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Waardenberg syndrome (congenital and autosomal dominant)
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Some medications used to treat glaucoma may cause the iris (colored part of the eye) to darken
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Neurofibromatosis (may cause the affected iris to darken)
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Injury, hemorrhage (bleeding), glaucoma, or foreign body in the eye
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Review Date: 2/9/2006
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Reviewed By: Edward B. Feinberg, MD, MPH, Professor and Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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