Some people get enticed by color of eyes. While it is true that eye color may interest some people, there exists an entire tribe who have a remarkably strange eye color. This is the Buton tribe of Indonesia who have sparkling blue eyes. This tribe is located in the southeast Sulawesi region of Indonesia. Ever since a photo taken by geologist and photographer Korchnoi Pasaribu went viral on social media, more and more people got interested to know how people can be born with natural sparkling blue eyes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Korchnoi Pasaribu (@geo.rock888)]]> Upon researching, it has been revealed that this eye color exists due to a rare genetic disorder called Waardenburg Syndrome. This causes congenital hearing loss and pigmentation deficiencies, which can turn your eyes bright blue. It can also create a white forelock, or patches of light skin. Often times, you can have one blue eye, while your other eye is brown. What Is Waardenburg Syndrome?As per the National Library of Medicine's published study, Waardenburg Syndrome is a group of genetic conditions caused by mutations in genes that disrupt the migration and division of neural crest cells. Waardenburg syndrome involves varying degrees of congenital sensorineural hearing loss along with pigmentation abnormalities. It is divided into four types, each with unique clinical features and genetic mutations. A family history of the condition is a key risk factor, as it follows autosomal dominant or, in some subtypes, autosomal recessive inheritance patterns.Types of Waardenburg Syndrome: Type I (WS1): Characterized by distinctive facial features, including dystopia canthorum (wide spacing between the inner corners of the eyes). It is caused by mutations in the PAX3 gene.Type II (WS2): Similar to WS1 but without dystopia canthorum. It can be caused by mutations in different genes, such as MITF or SNAI2.Type III (WS3): Also known as Klein-Waardenburg syndrome, this type includes the features of WS1 along with abnormalities of the arms and hands (upper limb malformations). It is also linked to PAX3 mutations.Type IV (WS4): Known as Waardenburg-Hirschsprung disease, this form combines typical WS features with Hirschsprung disease—a condition affecting the large intestine due to missing nerve cells in the bowel wall. Mutations in genes like EDNRB, EDN3, or SOX10 are involved.How Is It Diagnosed?Waardenburg syndrome is diagnosed through clinical evaluation, supported by hearing tests and, when possible, molecular genetic analysis. Management involves early hearing rehabilitation, regular eye checkups, and cosmetic support for pigmentation changes. Prognosis varies with the type and severity, but with timely intervention, most individuals can expect normal development and life expectancy.Is It Hereditary?Most people diagnosed with this condition usually inherit it from one parent who passes a copy of mutated gene to their child during conception (autosomal dominant). However, if an entire tribe has the similar genetic disorder, the changes are endogamous marriages and inherited Waardenburg syndrome type II and type IV in an autosomal recessive pattern, which occurs when both parents pass a copy of the mutated gene to their child during conception.