An image shows “a medical oddity that is characterized by having two pupils in each eyeball.”
No, this isn’t an authentic image of an eye condition
If your time is short
- While there is a rare eye condition called polycoria where there are two or more pupils, this picture doesn’t show it.
An image of a wide-open eye with not one but two irises and pupils is being shared on social media with a description of a condition that might cause ophthalmologists to close their own in disbelief.
“The Pupula duplex is a medical oddity that is characterized by having two pupils in each eyeball,” text appearing with the image says.
A post sharing it was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
Our Sources
Facebook post, Feb. 15, 2022
All About Vision, Polycoria causes, symptoms and treatments, visited Feb. 17, 2022
BuzzFeed, These Viral Pictures Of People With Two Irises Are Definitely Fake, Feb. 26, 2015
Email interview with Claudia Costabile, public affairs specialist, National Eye Institute, Feb. 17, 2022
Email interview with Yakesha Cooper, associate director, PR & Communications, American Optometric Association, Feb. 18, 2022
