Heterochromia: Causes and types of differing eye colors

Heterochromia is a condition characterized by a difference in iris color between a person's two eyes or within a single iris. The condition is categorized into three types: complete, partial, and central.

Eye color is determined by the distribution of melanin in the iris, with higher concentrations resulting in darker eyes. Heterochromia can be congenital, appearing at birth or shortly after, or acquired later in life. While often a simple variation without impact on vision, some congenital cases are linked to genetic factors or hereditary syndromes, such as Waardenburg syndrome.