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Did you know?

What do actresses Kate Bosworth, Elizabeth Berkeley and Mila Kunis have in common?
They all have two different colored irises, a condition known as heterochromia. Rather common in animals, it is somewhat rare in humans, occurring about 1 in 10,000. It's often genetic, due to a lack of melanin in the iris but may also be caused by injury, inflammation, tumor or medications (such as eye drops for glaucoma). In some people, heterochromia produces two completely different colored irises, while others have a colored sector (like Bosworth) or a central heterochromia (a ring of extra color between the pupil and the iris). Though heterochromia is usually harmless, it should be checked.

To Tint or Not to Tint

Eyeglass tints are very popular—just ask actors such as Robert Downey Jr., U2 musician Bono or reality star Nicole Richie. Not as dark as actual sunglasses, tints do help cut down on glare and provide comfort when exposed to bright lights which perhaps explains their use among celebrities exposed to camera flashes and stage lights. While the tint itself doesn't protect the eye, tinted lenses can also be treated with protective UV coatings. There is no medical need for tinting — just a matter of personal preference.

EPA joins Cataract Fight

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency marked the beginning of Cataract Awareness Month by announcing that more than 22 million additional cataract cases will be avoided for Americans born between 1985 and 2100 due to the Montreal Protocol. This environmental treaty, signed by 196 countries, was designed to reduce and eventually eliminate ozone depleting substances. Too much UV radiation not only increases the risk for skin cancer but also increases the risk for cataracts — a clouding of the eye's lens that affects more than 20 million Americans age 40 and older.