The IRIS is the part of the eye that gives it color. Eye colors vary from light blue to dark brown, depending upon the amount of pigment, called melanin, that is contained within the iris. The pupil is the round, central opening in the iris, which allows light to enter the eye. Muscles within the iris cause the pupil to get larger or smaller to control the amount of light that comes into the eye.

Copyright, 1997. Richard E. Gans, M. D.