
Aniridia can affect the entire iris.Īniridia affects the iris’ ability to function properly, whereas iris coloboma has fully-functioning irises. Iris coloboma only affects a small portion of the iris, which appears as a black notch on the pupil. However, there are a few major differences that set the two conditions apart: Iris coloboma is another congenital condition that is similar to aniridia. SEE RELATED: Eye anatomy: A closer look at the parts of the eye Aniridia vs. The condition affects males and females equally with symptoms that are usually detected at birth. It’s estimated that aniridia occurs in 1 in every 40,000 to 96,000 births in the U.S. However, the eyes may be affected differently (one eye may have partial aniridia while the other has complete). Individuals with aniridia don’t have the iris to monitor how much light is coming into their eyes, which makes them extremely sensitive to light - a condition called photophobia.Īniridia is bilateral, meaning it affects both eyes. The iris adjusts to the level of light, which causes the pupil to dilate (get larger) when it’s too dark and constrict (get smaller) when it’s too bright. Too much light can cause a glare, and too little light can make objects blurry or unclear. For the brain to render a clear image, it’s important for the correct amount of light to be let in. In a normal eye, the pupil is a gap or opening in the center of the iris that allows light to enter the eye. They are also at a higher risk for developing more serious eye diseases throughout their lifetime. Individuals with aniridia often have light sensitivity and low visual acuity.


This results in an abnormal or misshapen pupil that lacks the ability to dilate or constrict. Aniridia is a rare congenital condition characterized by the partial or complete absence of the iris (the colored portion of the eye).
