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One brown eye, one blue

19/ 5/2008

Q My mother's eyes are different colours. She has one blue and one brown eye. Why is this so and could it indicate any problems?

A Your mother has an uncommon condition called heterochromia and occurs as a result of either excess pigment or lack of a pigment called melanin in the iris. It may be acquired genetically or may result from injury or disease.

It may affect the entire iris or just a section of the iris (sectoral heterochromia). If the heterochromia is acquired, it may be due to a penetrating injury, such as an iron foreign body entering the eye.

It may be due to iron deposition from blood in the eye. Changes in colouration can occur with certain eye drops used in glaucoma treatment. The iris may lighten in colour if there is inflammation, as in uveitis, associated with Fuch's Dystrophy, or in Horner's Syndrome or Duane's Syndrome.

In sectoral herterchromia, one iris has two different colours, and may be more centralized around the pupil. If the heterochromia is long standing (since birth), the genetic cause will usually mean no further investigation is required, and your mother may already be aware of the possible cause of her condition.

If the colour change has occurred over time, it should be investigated further by her optician or by a specialist. But your mother is in good company, as some famous names such as Jane Seymour, Christopher Walken and Joe Pesci are heterochromiacs.

For a consultation with Martyn, call 0161 834 7798