The wait times in our emergency departments are longer than usual due to illnesses like RSV and the flu. View our estimated ED wait times and learn more about where to get care for your sick child.

Patient & Family Education Materials

Start over with a New Search

What's the Iris?

Article Translations: (Spanish)

Iris

Say: EYE-ris

Your iris is the colored part of your eye. So if someone has brown eyes, it means that person's irises are brown. The iris is about more than looks, though. Your iris controls the size of the pupil — the black dot in the center of your eye — and how much light is let into your eye.

Back To Top

Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

© 1995-2025 KidsHealth ® All rights reserved. Images provided by iStock, Getty Images, Corbis, Veer, Science Photo Library, Science Source Images, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com

Patients and families

Doctors and health care providers

Reach us 24/7 for patient referrals, consults, admissions and neonatal transport.

Learn more about Children’s Minnesota Physician Access »

ACS Surgical Quality Partner
The Committee on Trauma | Verified Trauma Center
2024 LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader
The Joint Commission National Quality Approval
Magnet Recognized | American Nurses Credentialing Center
ACS Surgical Quality Partner
The Committee on Trauma | Verified Trauma Center
2024 LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader
The Joint Commission National Quality Approval
Magnet Recognized | American Nurses Credentialing Center
Children's Minnesota logo the kid experts
Patients and families
Visit Children's Minnesota
For health professionals
About us
Support Children's Minnesota
GIVE NOW
Children's Minnesota logo the kid experts
Patients and families
Visit Children's Minnesota
For health professionals
About us
Support Children's Minnesota
GIVE NOW
Children's Minnesota logo the kid experts
Patients and families
Visit Children's Minnesota
For health professionals
About us
Support Children's Minnesota
GIVE NOW

Home | Privacy policy & terms of use |  Contact us

© 2025 Children’s Minnesota

Children’s Minnesota is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our tax identification number is 41-1754276.