Eyes of different colors

Eyes of different colors scientifically called heterochromia . This phenomenon is said when two eyes in one person or animal have a different color of the iris. The color of the iris is determined by the amount of melanin. Melanin is a pigment, thanks to which our hair, skin and eyes are dyed. Melanin is produced in special cells of melanocytes and additionally serves to protect the skin from ultraviolet rays.

Causes of eyes of different colors

To understand why there are eyes of different colors, it is necessary to understand how the eye color of a person is generally determined. The decisive factor is hereditary, although it manifests itself in various variations. Four base colors form a variety of shades of eye color in people around the world. If the vessels of the iris have a bluish tint, then the owner of such eyes can boast of a blue, blue or gray iris.

In the case of a sufficient amount of melanin in the iris, the eyes will be brown or even black (with an overabundance). Yellow shades occur in the presence of substances associated with violations of the liver. And red eyes are only in albinos, people with a lack of melanin. In addition to red eyes, these people have pale skin and colorless hair.

Different combinations of basic colors merge into a huge number of shades. For example, green eyes are obtained by mixing yellow and blue, and marshy when mixing blue with brown.

Heterochromia also develops in the prenatal period, due to a mutation after the fertilization of the oocyte. It may not be accompanied by any concomitant diseases and disorders. But in some cases, people with different eyes also suffer from various diseases and syndromes. The most common of these are vitiligo , Waardenburg syndrome, ocular melanosis, leukemia, melanoma, etc.

Types of heterochromia

Types of heterochromy by location:

1. Complete . In this case, people have a different color of both eyes (one blue, the other gray).
2. Sectoral . In this case, two different colors are combined on one iris. Usually one color is dominant, and the second is located on its background in the form of a small section.
3. Central . This type is characterized by two or more colors, one of which dominates the whole iris, and the other or others are framed by a pupil ring.

Owners of the eyes of different colors

A satisfied small number of people with heterochromia is observed around the world. Approximately 1% of the world's population looks unusual due to different eyes. But there are not only people with this phenomenon. It is widespread among cats, in which one eye is stable blue, and the second can be yellow, green or orange. Among the breeds of cats, heterochromia is most often observed in the Angora breed, As well as other breeds with white coat color. Among dogs, heterochromia can often be seen in Siberian Husky, Border Collie, Australian Shepherd. Horses, buffaloes and cows can also have heterochromia, which does not affect their health in any way.

Do I need to do something?

Heterochromia does not in itself carry any physical discomfort to a person, let alone animals. On the quality of vision, it also does not affect. Often, people suffering from complexes for colored eyes use contact lenses to adjust their appearance. Out of personal qualities such people are credited with honesty, vulnerability, loyalty, generosity, conflictness and some egocentrism. They find it difficult not to be in the center of attention, and they are offensive.