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What Causes Eye Color to Change?

Changes in eye color can be as captivating as they are concerning. By understanding what can cause eye colors to change, you can determine if what you’re experiencing is typical or if you should see a visionary eye doctor.  

Here is a look at common causes of eye color changes.  

Natural Age-Related Eye Color Changes  

One of the most common situations that leads to changes in eye color occurs in children. When a baby is born, their eyes are usually lighter or bluer. Mainly, this is because a newborn hasn’t had sun exposure, so the melanin in their eyes isn’t fully developed. As they are exposed to light, melanin production increases, causing the color of their eyes to shift.  

However, eye color changes can also occur as a person ages. Those with lighter color eyes – especially Caucasians – may see their eyes lighten over time. The pigment slow degrades over time, resulting in less color.  

Other Situations Leading to Eye Color Changes  

Sun Exposure  

Since melanin plays a role in eye color, exposure to the sun can lead to eye color changes. Usually, it requires prolonged exposure and results in the irises darkening.  

Medical Treatments  

Some medications may alter eye color. One prime example was a name-brand eyelash growth serum that was available by prescription. While the side effect was rare and usually required the drops to be applied to the eye – not the lash line, as it was meant to be used – a chemical in the serum could have the ability to impact eye pigments.  

It’s also possible for other medications and surgeries to result in eye color changes. If that’s a potential side effect of a treatment, your eye care specialist will discuss it in advance.  

Nearby Colors  

In some cases, it may look like your eye color has changed when, in reality, your eyes are the same color. Changes to the size of your pupils can cause your eye color to appear slightly different. Partially, this is because your limbal ring (the darker ring on the outside of the iris) is closer to the pupil’s edge. This can make your eye color appear darker because less of the iris is visible.  

Additionally, other colors near your eyes may impact how your eye color is perceived. For example, your clothing, makeup, hair, and glasses frame color may all influence the apparent hue of your irises. However, most of that is an illusion.  

When a different color is near your eye, slight reflections of those shades might make your eye color seem different, even though it isn’t. In a similar vein, changing the colors that are near your eyes may create more or less contrast than is usually there, making the hue seem stronger or weaker due to an adjustment in the comparison.  

Similarly, crying, allergies, or other activities that cause the sclera – the white part of the eye – to redden may make the irises seem slightly different. Again, this is because the area near the iris changed hues, not because the iris itself is a new color.  

Medical Conditions  

There are medical conditions that can lead to shifts in eye color. Heterochromia – a condition that causes a person to have two different colored irises or more than one color in a single iris – may result in color changes. Horner’s syndrome may cause the eyes to lighten. Pigmentary glaucoma and Fuch’s heterochromic uveitis – an inflammatory condition – may also result in changes to the iris. The same goes for eye melanoma, a type of cancer.  

Consult a Reputable Eye Doctor

The eye care specialists in Buffalo, NY at ECVA take the safety and health of our patients’ eyes seriously. If you have concerns about your eye health or simply haven’t had an eye exam in a while, we can help. Schedule an appointment at your closest ECVA clinic today.  

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What to Expect as Our Eyes Age

smiling older woman

Most people understand that aging impacts the human body. However, many people are caught off guard when it comes to how aging effects our eyes. 

Age-related eye changes are fairly common, though each one has a different kind of impact. Some may produce mild discomfort or easily correctable vision changes, while others may have a lasting effect on visual acuity. At times, age-related eye changes can be serious, causing permanent loss of vision and more. 

If you are wondering about age-related eye problems, here is a quick overview of some of the most common ones. 

Common Age-Related Eye Changes 

Presbyopia 

Presbyopia is an eye condition where you lose visual acuity when viewing an object up close or reading small print. Those who suffer from it may start holding things they need to read further away from their face to try and compensate, may have trouble reading, or might experience headaches when doing up-close work. 

In most cases, reading glasses or bifocals are enough to correct the issue. However, you may need to update the strength of your lenses regularly to compensate for ongoing changes. 

Dry Eye 

As we age, our tear ducts may struggle to produce enough tears to keep our eyes comfortable. Usually, the most common side effects are discomfort and a reduction in visual clarity. 

Luckily, this is an issue that can often be addressed with eye drops or a humidifier. However, severe cases may require surgery to correct. 

Tearing 

At times, excessive tearing also occurs when people age. Often, it’s the of a shift in light, wind, or temperature change sensitivity, though it could also be caused by a tear duct issue or eye infection. Some people with dry eye might also experience periods of excessive tearing. Usually, it’s an attempt to rehydrate the eye that goes a bit overboard. 

In many cases, the core causes can be addressed by your eye doctor, alleviating the tearing issue. 

Floaters 

Floaters are tiny spots that seem to drift across your visual field. In many cases, they are normal and of no concern. However, if accompanied by flashes of light or if they increase dramatically, it could indicate a more significant problem. 

Cataracts 

Cataracts form when various proteins found in the eye begin to clump, leading to cloudiness in the lens of a person’s eye. As the cloudiness worsens, a person’s vision becomes blurry or makes it seem like everything is covered in a fog. Usually, they form slowly over time, making them more common in older individuals. Thankfully, cataract surgery is often quite effective, potentially fully restoring any lost visual acuity caused by cataracts. 

Macular Degeneration 

Age-related macular degeneration leads to the loss of central vision, though not total blindness. Often, people with it struggle to read or recognize faces. As with many conditions, early detection and treatment are crucial for preserving vision. If a case is advanced, there is no cure, though its progress may be slowed with certain kinds of treatment. 

Glaucoma 

Glaucoma is a condition that occurs when the pressure in the eye increases, something that is more likely to emerge as a person ages. If not treated, it can lead to permanent vision loss and even blindness 

What to Do If You Experience Visions Changes 

While many of the age-related changes above are common, that doesn’t mean they should go unaddressed. In many cases, proper treatment can restore or improve visual acuity, allowing you to see better as you age. 

Additionally, some of the symptoms above could be indicative of other eye issues, including some that may lead to irreversible eye damage. As a result, it is always wise to see your eye doctor if you experience any changes to your vision. That way, they can identify the cause of your issue and plan an appropriate course of treatment, should one be necessary. 

At ECVA, our staff works diligently to care for the eye health of patients of all ages, ensuring they can see as clearly as possible today and into the future. If you are experiencing any vision changes or simply haven’t had an eye exam recently, schedule an appointment at your closest ECVA clinic today. 

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A Deeper Look into Macular Degeneration

Previously, we’ve discussed the signs and symptoms of macular degeneration and treatment options available through your eye doctor. While it’s important to understand the kind of changes that can indicate macular degeneration, ensuring you seek assistance from an eye doctor quickly, there’s more to the condition.  

Today, we are going to take a deeper look into macular degeneration. If you are wondering what causes the conditions and if there are any steps you can take to reduce your odds of getting it, here’s what you need to know.  

Causes of Macular Degeneration  

There are two main kinds of macular degeneration: dry form and wet form. With dry macular degeneration, drusen – a sort of fat deposit – may appear in the macula. The exact cause of drusen themselves isn’t known, though some believe it is waste from a person’s retina.  

While a few small drusen may not cause any vision issues, as the yellow deposits grow or become more numerous, they can lead to vision dimming or distortions. Usually, people first notice the changes when they are trying to read. However, in time, dry macular degeneration can harm the light-sensitive cells in your macula. It’s also possible to develop blind spots, typically in your central vision.  

Wet form macular degeneration has a different cause. It develops when blood vessels grow in spots underneath the macular where they shouldn’t be, allowing fluid and blood to leak into your retina. Usually, this results in distorted vision, like straight lines appearing wavy. Central vision loss and blind spots can also develop, particularly if there is scarring. Like drusen, it isn’t entirely known why the errant blood vessels form.  

Dry macular degeneration can be a cause of the wet form. This causes some to believe that the development of the blood vessels is an attempt to rid the eye of the drusen. However, the wet form can develop without dry form, so there may be other catalysts involved.  

Preventative Measures for Macular Degeneration  

While it may not be entirely possible to prevent macular degeneration, there are steps people can take to lessen their chances of getting the condition. For example, quitting smoking is a smart move, as there could be a connection between smoking and macular degeneration. Similarly, protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays could help.  

Eating a balanced diet is also wise. It ensures you consume enough critical vitamins and minerals that are important for overall health. Plus, obesity is a risk factor, and eating a healthy diet may help you avoid being overweight.  

Taking in enough antioxidants (either through diet or with supplements) could also reduce your macular degeneration chances. Additionally, being mindful of your cardiovascular health could make a difference, as individuals with pre-existing heart and blood vessel conditions may be at higher risk of macular degeneration.  

Finally, keep up with your eye doctor appointments. By catching macular degeneration early, your chances of preserving your vision go up significantly.  

If you haven’t been screened for macular degeneration recently or are experiencing any vision changes, see your eye doctor as soon as possible. At ECVA, our team works diligently to care for our patients, including screening for and treating macular degeneration. If you want to ensure that your eyes are healthy, schedule an appointment at your closest ECVA clinic today.