Differential Diagnosis for Different Colors Seen in Each Eye

• Single Most Likely Diagnosis
  • Heterochromia: A condition where there is a difference in color between the two eyes, often due to variations in melanin distribution. This can be congenital or acquired.
• Other Likely Diagnoses
  • Cataracts: Different colors in each eye could be due to cataract formation, where one lens becomes cloudy or discolored, affecting the perceived color.
  • Intraocular hemorrhage: Bleeding inside the eye can cause color changes, and if it occurs in one eye, it might appear as if the eyes have different colors.
  • Uveitis: Inflammation of the uvea can lead to changes in eye color due to the accumulation of inflammatory cells or pigments.
• Do Not Miss Diagnoses
  • Acute angle-closure glaucoma: This is an emergency condition that can cause the eye to appear red or have a different color due to increased intraocular pressure. Missing this diagnosis can lead to permanent vision loss.
  • Retinal detachment: Although not typically associated with color changes, a retinal detachment can cause visual disturbances that might be perceived as color differences, and it requires urgent treatment.
• Rare Diagnoses
  • Choroidal osteoma: A rare benign tumor that can cause color changes due to its pigmentation and the way it affects the surrounding retina.
  • Siderosis bulbi: Iron deposition in the eye, usually from a retained intraocular foreign body, can lead to various ocular changes, including color vision alterations.
  • Melanosis oculi: A condition characterized by an increase in melanin pigmentation within the eye, which can result in color differences between the eyes.