Different Eye Color Day

Today is certainly not one of the biggest holidays you will celebrate all summer, but in the eye care community, today is Different Color Eye Day. People like Mila Kunis, Kate Bosworth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Robert Downey Jr, and Christopher Walken are known for having noticeably different colored eyes.

The technical term for having different colored eyes are heterochromia iridis or heterochromia iridum. Hetero mean “different”, chromia means “colors”,  and iridis or more technically iridium refers to the iris of the eye, or the thin colored circular structure that surrounds the iris and contains the melanin that gives our eyes our distinctive color.  

Heterochromia is usually benign or without any disease and does not affect your vision. It is generally considered very exotic. Heterochromia also occurs in animals, such as angora cats, Siberian huskies, or border collies.

In some cases Heterochromia is a symptom of another condition such as Horner’s syndrome. If your eyes have recently changed colors, schedule an appointment and let us give you a thorough eye exam.