Colored Circle Around the Pupil

Presence of colored circle around the pupil is not a common condition. It is one of the rarest of the rare problems of human eye. This condition is not a disease in itself but a symptom of some rare genetic disease and medical condition. Many-a-times, the abnormality goes unnoticed as the colored ring is seen in bright light. However, if it gets noticed on time, the underlying cause also gets diagnosed before it takes a serious turn. In case you or someone known to you has been noticing a colored circle around pupil for quite sometime, you need to seek medical assistance.

The medical professionals will conduct some specific tests to determine the hidden cause. The diagnostic tests usually on blood is used to find the level of copper in the body. The doctors may even work upon your genetic material (DNA) to find abnormalities in the genetic makeup. If the causative factor comes out to be genetic in origin, then the disease and associated symptoms are difficult to treat. However, some uncomfortable symptoms can be relieved to some extent.

Possible Causes of Colored Circle Around the Pupil

Wilson's Disease: Wilson's disease is a genetic disorder that prevents your body from excreting excess copper from it. Your body obtains copper from foods. Only a small amount of it is required for sound health. The copper is filtered out by the liver and released into bile. It then gets removed out of your body through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In case you have Wilson's disease, your body won't be able to excrete extra copper. The copper would accumulate in liver, eyes, kidneys and brain. Too much copper acts like a poison for your body. High levels of copper in your body organs may prove to be fatal over time. It all happens in Wilson's disease.

According to studies, one out of every 40, 000 people have the homozygous recessive genetic trait for Wilson's disease. There are some characteristic signs and symptoms of Wilson's disease. The liver and spleen swells. The white of the eyes become pale. The legs and abdomen accumulate fluids. Your body shows a tendency to get cut and injured easily. You suffer from fatigue, muscle stiffness, uncontrolled movements, behavioral changes, anemia and low platelet count. Your body has a high level of amino acids, uric acid, protein and carbohydrates in urine. You tend to prematurely experience osteoporosis and arthritis. You may also notice a colored circle around your pupil.

Heterochromia: Heterochromia is described as the anatomical condition wherein the color of the iris of one eye differs from that of the other in a person. It occurs when you have either excess or very little melanin in your body. Heterochromia, therefore, can show its presence in the color of hair, skin. However, it most commonly affects the eyes. Heterochromia may be caused by several factors. The most common are inheritance and injury. The cases of injury include direct blow to the eye, bleeding within the eye, eye tumors, inflammation within eye, and other similar conditions. Heterochromia has been observed to be a sporadically occurring, harmless phenomenon, which is associated with other medical conditions. It may be a possible underlying cause of colored circle around the pupil.

While you are under medical treatment, particularly for Wilson's disease, strictly follow all the instructions and recommendations given by the doctor. Take all the prescribed medicines on time and follow the advised dietary changes. This will help you deal with the underlying cause for colored circle around the pupil if not comfortably then at least modestly.