What is Alexandria’s Genesis?
In the early 2000s, a purple eye disease called Alexandria’s Genesis was introduced to the world. It was said to cause violet eyes and perfect vision in those who had it. And while it may be fun to imagine, such a disease does not exist. So how did it come to be, and what can cause violet eyes?
Alexandria’s Genesis or “Alexandria Genesis syndrome” is a popular legend of a superhuman disease that emerged on the internet in the early 2000s, after a fanfiction writer created it for a story they were writing.
Many believe that some celebrities have purple eyes — particularly Elizabeth Taylor — but the true shade of her eyes was fairly subjective. The color often seemed to depend on the lighting around her, as well as the color of Taylor’s scarves, clothing and accessories, and how they played on the color of her eyes.
Is Alexandria’s Genesis real?
Although it’s a fascinating idea, “purple eye syndrome” does not exist in the real world. It was invented by a fanfiction writer, who has confirmed that it’s made up.
SEE RELATED: What is the rarest eye color?
Conditions that can alter eye colors
While there is no scientific evidence of a disease that causes purple eyes, some eye conditions do exist that could cause the eyes to vary in color. The following conditions can potentially affect the color or appearance of the eyes:
Heterochromia
Heterochromia is a rare condition in which a person has more than one eye color. In some cases, each eye is a different color, but two different colors can also occur in the same eye.
Like the fictional Alexandria’s Genesis, heterochromia is believed in most cases to be caused by a genetic mutation.
SEE MORE: Celebrities with different-colored eyes (heterochromia)
Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis
Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis occurs when there is inflammation in the front of the eye. This can affect the iris — the colored part of the eye that contains the pupil.
A particular symptom of Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis is pigmentation loss in the iris, which can alter the color of the eyes. The cause of the condition is unknown, but it could lead to serious eye problems — such as glaucoma and vision loss — if it is not treated.
SEE RELATED: What is iridocyclitis?
Horner’s syndrome
Horner's syndrome is a rare disorder that affects the eye and tissues on one side of the face. In most cases, the disorder develops after a stroke (due to a tumor or injury of the spinal cord) leaves nerve damage in the face.
The condition can affect the pigmentation of the iris, which can result in a change in the color of the eyes. It can also cause one pupil to be larger than the other (anisocoria), which might make the eyes look as though they are different colors.
Waardenburg syndrome
A rare group of genetic conditions called Waardenburg syndrome may cause changes in skin, hair and eye color. People who have Waardenburg syndrome often have very pale blue eyes, and sometimes the eyes can be two different colors.
Albinism
Albinism is a condition that occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough melanin, a chemical compound that supplies color pigments to the eyes, skin and hair. When albinism occurs only in the eyes, it’s called ocular albinism.
Many people who have albinism may appear to have violet or red eyes. Aside from eye color, the condition can cause several vision problems, including crossed eyes (strabismus), involuntary eye shifting (nystagmus), light sensitivity and below-normal visual acuity.
Other conditions
Other things could also cause eyes to change color (or appear to change color), including:
- Freckles on the iris
- Trauma
- Dilated pupils
- Infections such as uveitis
- Some medications, including glaucoma medications called prostaglandins
- Aging — Cataract formation and arcus senilis can alter the appearance of eye color in seniors
Violet eyes are rare, but...
You can get colored contact lenses if you want to live out your purple-eye fantasy. Even though there is no real purple eye disease, many brands of contacts offer lenses with beautiful shades of violet, both for vision correction and purely cosmetic reasons. Ask your eye care professional for guidance when choosing contact lenses for your eyes.
To keep your vision healthy, be sure to schedule a yearly comprehensive eye exam. And if you notice any unusual changes in your vision or eye health, including your eyes changing color, contact your eye doctor immediately.
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