Yes, a form of pink eyes can exist, although it's extremely rare. This isn't the pink eye (conjunctivitis) commonly associated with infection. True pink eyes are typically a result of a lack of melanin pigment in the iris, often associated with albinism. While albinism frequently causes very light blue eyes, some forms can lead to eyes appearing red or pink due to the blood vessels within the iris being more visible.
Understanding Pink Eyes
- Albinism: The primary cause of pink eyes is a severe lack of melanin, the pigment that determines eye color. In albinism, the reduced or absent melanin reveals the underlying blood vessels, resulting in the appearance of pink or red eyes. This differs from the red or pink appearance of eyes inflamed by conjunctivitis.
- Blood Vessels: The red or pink hue is due to the visibility of blood vessels in the iris. In individuals with normal pigmentation, melanin masks these vessels.
- Not Conjunctivitis: It's crucial to differentiate between true pink eyes due to albinism and pink eye (conjunctivitis), a common infection causing eye redness and irritation. Conjunctivitis is not a result of a lack of pigment.
Several sources confirm this:
- Red/Pink Eyes: "Two major conditions cause a red or pinkish eye color: albinism and blood leaking into the iris. Although albinos tend to have very, very light blue eyes due to a lack of pigment, some forms of albinism can cause eyes to appear red or pink."
- 6 Rare and Unique Eye Colors | eyeXam Optometry: This source also mentions that some forms of albinism can lead to red or pink eyes.
- Why do people with albinism have red or pink...: This source notes that albinism is associated with red or pink eyes.
- Which Eye Colors Are the Rarest? - All About Vision: This source includes pink eyes among the less common eye colors.
