7 Bizarre Eye Conditions

Elderly man examined by an ophthalmologist

Our eyes are said to be the window to our soul–and they can also tell us a lot about our health and development. Some people are born with truly unique eye conditions that may seem a bit unsettling at first glance unless you know what they represent. Read on to learn more about some of the craziest eye conditions out there and which conditions you should take seriously with an eye exam from your eye doctor.

1. Red Eyes

These are usually nothing to worry about and are simply a result of being tired or spending too much time staring at a screen. However, if your eyes are consistently red, it could be a sign of more serious issues like glaucoma or dry eye syndrome.

2. Two Pupils in One Eye

Although this may look concerning, it’s relatively common and nothing to be worried about. It’s called an optical illusion and occurs when your brain is trying to process two different images at the same time.

3. Black Eyes

A black eye is usually just bruising around the eye area from an injury. However, if you have persistent black eyes with no known cause, it could be a sign of a more serious underlying condition like leukemia or adrenal gland tumors.

4. Hairy Eyeball

This may sound like something out of a horror movie, but it’s actually a real condition called trichiasis. It occurs when eyelashes grow in the wrong direction and irritate the eye surface. If left untreated, it can lead to vision loss.

5. Two Different Colored Eyes

This condition is called heterochromia and is usually harmless. It can be present at birth or develop later in life due to injury or disease. While it may look odd, it typically doesn’t affect vision or cause any other health problems.

6. Cat Eyes

No, this doesn’t mean you’ve turned into a feline. Cat eyes is the nickname for a condition called aniridia, which is when the iris (the colored part of the eye) is missing or incomplete. It can be present at birth or develop later in life, and while it doesn’t typically affect vision, it can make the eye more sensitive to light.

7. Crying Blood Tears

This may sound like something out of a horror movie, but it’s a real condition called haemolacria. It occurs when blood vessels in the eye break, causing blood to leak into tears. It can be a sign of a serious underlying condition like leukemia or glaucoma, so if you experience this symptom, it’s important to see an eye doctor right away.

While these eye conditions may sound strange, they’re usually nothing to worry about. However, if you experience any persistent or unexplained changes in your eyes, it’s always best to see an eye doctor at Spindel Eye Associates in New Hampshire to rule out any serious underlying problems.