Is Your Eye Color Unique To You?

 

What causes eye color? 

According to WorldAtlas’s The World's Population By Eye Color, two factors affect eye color: the pigmentation of the eye's iris and how light is scattered in the iris.  Pigmentation of the iris depends on the concentration of melanin, and the more melanin, the darker the eyes will be.  Genetics plays a part, and it can get quite complex, with as many as 16 genes determining eye color. 

 

Brown Eyes 

The most common eye color is brown or darkly pigmented irises.  70% to 80% of the world's population has some shade of brown eyes but the shade can vary depending on where you reside.  Africa, East Asia and Southeast Asia have the most common eye color of dark brown.  Light brown eye color is most common in the Americas, Europe and West Asia. Researchers at the American Academy of Ophthalmology have stated that 10,000 years ago everyone on planet earth had brown eyes. 

 

Blue Eyes 

The next common eye color is blue at 8%-10%. Scientist believe that all blue-eyed people can be traced back to a common ancestor, who most likely carried a genetic mutation that resulted in low melanin production.  Blue eyes are most common in northern and eastern Europe, particularly around the Baltic Sea, but are also found in Central Asia, North Africa, South Asia, West Asia and Southern Europe. 

 

Hazel and Amber Eyes 

Both hazel and amber eyes each make up about 5% of the world's population. Hazel eyes are a combination of green and brown, often with flecks of gold or orange.  Interesting, hazel eyes appear to shift color in different lighting. Hazel eyes are most common in the Middle East, North Africa, Brazil and people of Spanish heritage.  Amber eyes have a solid gold hue and unlike hazel eyes, they don't appear to shift colors.  Amber eye color is commonly found in Pakistan and the Balkan region, as well as the Iberian Peninsula, Southern France, Italy and Hungary. 

 

Gray Eyes 

Gray eyes make up about 3% of the world’s population.  Due to a large collection of collagen the light is reflected differently in gray eyes than other eye colors.  Gray eyes are common in parts of Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. 

 

Green Eyes 

Green is the rarest eye color at 2%. Several factors combine to create green eyes including light brown pigmentation in the iris stroma, a blue shade due to the Raleigh scattering of reflected light, and the yellowish pigment lipochrome.  Green eyes are common in Europe's Central, Western and Northern regions. 16% of people with green eyes are the result of European Americans with recent Celtic and Germanic ancestry. 

 

Heterochromia 

Some people have more than one eye color (think David Bowie).  Heterochromia is an extremely rare condition in humans, less than 1%.  There are three types of Heterochromia: one iris is a different color from the other (complete), a portion of the iris is a different color from the remaining part (sectoral), or the irises are identical but there is a ring of different colors around the pupil (center). 

 

Green vs. Hazel Eyes 

Up until recently I thought my eye color was green. That's what my parents said.  That's what's on my driver's license.  However, after researching eye color I now think my gray rimmed (limbal ring), bluish-green, yellow irises that change color in the light and depending on what color I’m wearing, actually might be hazel.  I found this article on The Difference Between Green and Hazel Eyes to help me figure it out in case you are experiencing the same dilemma. 

 

How do I determine my eye color? 

To determine your true eye color: 

• Use natural light 
• Stand against a white background 
• Wear a white shirt 
• Use a mirror 

What is the most common eye color in America? 

Below is a percentage breakdown of people in the United States who have each eye color. (What Is the Most Common Eye Color?): 

• Brown eyes: 45% 
• Blue eyes: 27% 
• Hazel eyes: 18% 
• Green eyes: 9% 
• Other eye colors: 1% 

Facts about eye color 

Some interesting facts about eye color: 

• A child's eye color may be different from that of either parent. 
• It is possible that your eye color may change due to puberty, trauma, pregnancy, or age, but it is rare. 
• Your mood may change pupil size, but not your eye color. 
• Many newborn babies have blue eyes that can change over months, but worldwide more newborns are born with brown eyes (Are All Babies Born With Blue Eyes?) 
• Blue eyes don’t actually have blue pigment.  Instead they appear blue because they scatter light so that more blue light reflects back out, much like how the sky and water appear blue. 
• Your eye color is unique to you.  No two people in the world have the same color eyes. (Eye Colors)  

What color are your eyes?