No, David Bowie did not have heterochromia. While it was a common belief that the iconic musician had two different colored eyes, this was not the case. He actually had a different eye condition called anisocoria.
Understanding David Bowie's Eye Condition
Many people perceived David Bowie's eyes to be different colors, contributing to his unique and enigmatic image. However, the appearance was due to an injury that resulted in one of his pupils being permanently dilated.
Let's clarify the difference between the two conditions:
- Heterochromia: This is a condition where an individual has two different colored irises, or parts of one iris are different in color. For instance, one eye might be blue and the other brown.
- Anisocoria: This is a condition characterized by pupils of unequal size. In Bowie's case, an injury he sustained in his youth caused his left pupil to become permanently dilated, making it appear much larger than his right pupil. This difference in pupil size often created the illusion that his eyes were different colors, especially under varying light conditions, as the larger pupil would reveal less of the iris's natural color.
This distinction is important as it highlights that while his eyes certainly looked striking and unique, the underlying cause was not a difference in iris color but rather an asymmetry in pupil size.
Key Differences: Heterochromia vs. Anisocoria
To further clarify, here's a comparison of the two eye conditions often confused in relation to David Bowie:
| Condition | Primary Characteristic | Impact on Eye Appearance | David Bowie's Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heterochromia | Different colored irises | One eye's iris is a distinct color from the other, or parts of the same iris vary in color. | No |
| Anisocoria | Unequal pupil sizes | One pupil is noticeably larger or smaller than the other, creating a visual imbalance. | Yes |
David Bowie's unique gaze, which became a signature part of his artistic persona, was a result of anisocoria, not heterochromia.
