<Tr> <Th> Specialty </Th> <Td> Ophthalmology </Td> </Tr> <P> Heterochromia is a difference in coloration, usually of the iris but also of hair or skin . Heterochromia is determined by the production, delivery, and concentration of melanin (a pigment). It may be inherited, or caused by genetic mosaicism, chimerism, disease, or injury . It occurs in humans and certain breeds of dogs and cats . </P> <P> Heterochromia of the eye (heterochromia iridum or heterochromia iridis) is of three kinds . In complete heterochromia, one iris is a different color from the other . In segmental heterochromia or sectoral heterochromia, part of one iris is a different color from its remainder and finally in central heterochromia there are spikes of different colors radiating from the pupil . </P> <P> Though multiple causes have been posited, the scientific consensus is that a lack of genetic diversity is the primary reason behind heterochromia . This is due to a mutation of the genes that determine melanin distribution at the 8 - HTP pathway, which usually only become corrupted due to chromosomal homogeneity . </P>

Can a person have two different color eyes