Change in eye color can be a symptom of a medical condition.
Eye color in humans generally develops by the age of 3. While we may notice slight variations in our eye color depending on our emotional state or what we wear, our eye color generally remains the same throughout our lives. If eye color does change--such as blue eyes developing a brown ring, or brown eyes turning yellow--it may be a symptom of a developing health condition requiring medical attention.
Babies' Changing Eye Color
Many white babies are born with neutral grayish or light blue eye color that may change or darken as the eyes are exposed to sunlight. Melanin, the compound that causes pigmentation of the eyes, hair and skin, develops until it reaches a plateau. Babies born with blue eyes may end up with green, hazel, brown or even violet eyes by age 3. Babies with darker complexions are generally born with dark eyes that will stay that way.
Heterochromia
A rare genetic abnormality can cause some babies to be born with two different colored eyes--a condition called heterochromia--which may indicate an underlying health problem such as Horner syndrome. If heterochromia develops in an adult, it often means there is some underlying disease process at work, and it is important to have an eye examination to determine the cause.
Horner Syndrome
Babies born with heterochromia may have Horner syndrome. This condition, which can develop at any time, is the result of injury to the sympathetic nerves that control the eyes and face. Common signs are drooping eyelid (ptosis), decreased size of the affected pupil (the black hole in the middle of the eye), decreased sweating on the affected side of the face and, in some cases, heterochromia. There is no specific treatment for Horner syndrome, but doctors will want to find the underlying cause, such as spinal cord injury, and treat that.
Fuchs' Heterochromic Uveitis
One cause of heterochromia is Fuchs' heterochromic uveitis (FHU), also called Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis. The change in eye color usually affects one but can affect both eyes. The eye color change may be your first indication that something is amiss. Other symptoms include decreased or blurred vision and floating spots in your field of vision. If you are diagnosed with FHU, it is important to have routine eye examinations because cataracts or glaucoma can develop and require medical or surgical intervention.
Pigmentary Glaucoma
Common in white males in their 30s or 40s, pigmentary glaucoma can happen to anyone. It involves granules of pigment breaking off the back of the iris and clogging the eye's natural drainage system. This can put pressure on the inside of the eye and cause pain and vision loss.
Tags: born with, Horner syndrome, babies born with, blue eyes, Fuchs heterochromic