Rainbow colors in the tear film indicate that it is rich with lipids that are required to keep the aqueous portion of the tears from evaporating too quickly [Source: TearScience]
What does this mean? Simple: Presence of the rainbow colors indicates the oily film is preventing water in the tear fluids from escaping into air, so the eyes stay moist. On the other hand, lack of this protection leads to a common form of dry eye.
I have seen this in my baby's eye while feeding her and watching her eyes during the daylight. So from what you wrote, I suppose that this kind of oily and rainbow-like look of the tearfilm is normal?
ReplyDeleteIf her eyes are otherwise white and quiet (meaning no signs of inflammation/infection), then yes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your quick reply. Ya otherwise everything is normal, no inflamnation or infection. Are baby's more likely to have this, or is it just that maybe I have never looked that close into somebody's eye :)
ReplyDeleteMy baby has this too, thanks this post for clarification
DeleteThis is seen in normal healthy eyes, both young and old, usually through a slit-lamp so no staring into other people's eyes is involved.
ReplyDeleteSorry again, now you made me worry. But it still is normal that I see it in her eyes during daylight and without the slit-lamp?
ReplyDeleteBye the way, it appears only when I look from a certain angle. Not all the time.
ReplyDeleteRelax, your baby must have big beautiful eyes hence easier for you to see the rainbow. The rainbow indeed can be seen only at a certain angle, 42 degrees from the direction opposite the light source to be exact.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for ur replies :)
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the helpful post. I never noticed this with my firstborn, but I do see it in my new daughter's eyes. She's three months old.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you and your kids
ReplyDeleteHello, I was just wondering if these almost like oily stains I see on my eyeball are normal? It looks almost like when gasoline is mixed with water, rainbowish. I've only noticed it recently and it doesn't happen everyday.
ReplyDeleteThat should be the normal oil film over water in tear fluids. Also, tear composition does not remain constant, hence the change.
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When the doc examined my newborns eyes he took ages i panniced and asked if something was wrong he said he d neva seen all the colours in a newborns eyes before they only usually have three or four. I have researched to find an explanation for this now shes almost 13 i think ive found it.
ReplyDeleteI noticed on my grand daughter's eye (iris to be exact) there's a smudge like squiggly spot that looks just like what is explained above (oil or gasoline in water, rainbow type effect). Is this the same thing y'all are talking about? On the iris (color) of the eye? She has dark, almost black eyes. It trips me out looking at it.
ReplyDeleteI think because her eyes are dark it’s easier to see. I never noticed this with my oldest son (he was born with blue eyes) but I definitely notice it with my youngest and he has very dark eyes.
ReplyDeleteI noticed in my five months old baby....I asked my pediatrician but he was unable to see that in my LO eyes....m worried abt it please help
ReplyDeleteYes by two month new born has this has anyone have any idea why it happens, if it’s dangerous and what I should do
ReplyDeleteI see a rainbow film that covers everything and in the dark its really visible cover all objects like my own rainbow night vision in the day it's less prominent like a translucent film
ReplyDeleteThank you for the post . It was really helpful and I could get this info only from this blog. Even I noticed the rainbowish colour in the eyes of my 4 month old baby and was worried. But now I am completely relaxed. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting this info! I just found this in my dogs eyes and was concerned and couldn't find anything on it anywhere.
ReplyDeleteThanks a mil for sharing. This is really useful. I just spotted this in my 10 week old's eyes and was concerned.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post i have been seeing this in my LO EYES SINCE 2 MONTH NOW 6 MONTHS THANK YOU SO MUCH you put me at ease
ReplyDeleteMy baby is 3 weeks old I was freaked out thank you
ReplyDelete