Iceland, the northernmost country of the bunch, has the greatest percentage of people with blue eyes. Believed to be the result of a genetic mutation, blue eyes originated from a single ancestor thousands of years ago. [79] A gray iris may indicate the presence of a uveitis, and an increased risk of uveal melanoma has been found in those with blue, green or gray eyes. Boys are 3 percent to 5 percent likelier to have blue eyes than girls, but beyond that it's a non-issue -- physiologically speaking. Although most common eye color in Latvia that ranks 7th on our list oftop countries that have the most blondes and blue eyes as a percentage ofpopulation, is blue and greyish-blue and hair blond, there is also a certain amount of population being grey-eyes and brown haired, whose roots can probably be traced to the ancient Livs, who have later been assimilated. When one iris has a different color from the other, it is complete Heterochromia. Stay Safe. In the US only 1 out of 6 people have a light (blue) eye colour. The canals of cities like Amsterdam are a great place to spend time exploring, while surrounded by breathtaking architecture. In addition to genetics, the anatomic structure of the iris can also affect eye color to some degree. The different types of uveitis are: Anterior uveitis, Intermediate uveitis, Posterior uveitis, and Pan-uveitis. . 207,208 - (1968), Last edited on 21 February 2023, at 15:18, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Phenotypes and Genotypes for human eye colors. Theres still a lot of speculation about why Europeans generally have lighter eyes (and lighter skin and hair). "Blue eyes are seen as powerful. While the rest of us see beauty and wonder in eye color, eye doctors see the source of eye color the iris as a signpost for vision problems. Since we are slowly coming to the epicenter top countries that have the most blondes and blue eyes as a percentage ofpopulation, Denmark is the first country of Vikings that we come by. Provincia: bulletin trimestriel de la Socit de Statistique http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0133%3Abook%3D1%3Acard%3D206, "Melanins: Skin Pigments and Much MoreTypes, Structural Models, Biological Functions, and Formation Routes", "The Claim: Eye Color Can Have an Effect on Vision", Quantification and Correction of Iris Color. [85] A blue coloration of the sclera may also be symptomatic of disease. Scientists believe that all blue-eyed people can be traced back to a common ancestor, who probably had a genetic mutation that reduced their melanin in the iris. The iris has two layers. The percentage rises to 40 percent if the cat has one blue eye, while upwards of 65 to 85 percent of all-white cats with both eyes blue are deaf. Cavin Herbert Eye Institute. Through the analysis of ancient DNA, a 2020 study published in Experimental Dermatology suggested that the common gene for blue eye color likely originated in the Near East and arrived in Europe around 42,000 years ago, after the exodus out of Africa. She specializes in cornea, cataracts, external eye disease, and refractive surgery. Hereditary deafness is a major concern in white cats, and even more so if one or both irises are blue in color. Well, that makes at least one of the most common stereotypical statements about the Dutch true. Iris color and associated pathological ocular complications: a review of epidemiologic studies. 2. [50] Among European Americans, green eyes are most common among those of recent Celtic and Germanic ancestry with about 16%. While limited, there is some research showing that blue eyes may protect you against seasonal affective disorder. Denmark, the Polish coast and the Baltic states), making it in effect an almost entirely blonde-bounded lake. Cylindrical cells are the photoreceptors of the eye that have a black and white vision and, depending on the amount of light received from the environment, determine the amount of darkness and brightness of objects. : 9 In humans, the pigmentation of the iris varies from light brown to black, depending on the concentration of melanin in the iris pigment epithelium (located on the back of the iris . Blue eyes aren't actually blue. 2000-2023 AAV Media, LLC. Some of the eye-color genes include OCA2 and HERC2. For the shade of purple, see, "Brown eyes" redirects here. For just about everyone, the back layer of each eye is brown. 3. About 5% of the worlds population and 18% of Americans have hazel eyes -- a mixture of green, gold, and orange. Follow. The Greek goddess Athene appears with gray eyes (). To put that in perspective, 79% of people have brown eyes. At first, you may not notice that you have a cataract. Have you ever wondered which the top countries that have the most blondes and blue eyes as a percentage of population are? SEE RELATED: How color contact lenses can make anyone's eyes blue. Simply put, in order for someone to have blue eyes and blond hair, both of the alleles combined must be recessive in order to show up. Hazel eyes: What determines hazel eye color. ", Blue eyes in lemurs and humans: same phenotype, different genetic mechanism, SKIN/HAIR/EYE PIGMENTATION, VARIATION IN, 1; SHEP1 - 227220, Howard Hughes Medical Institute: Ask A Scientist, "An Ocularist's Approach to Human Iris Synthesis", "Admixture in Latin America: Geographic Structure, Phenotypic Diversity and Self-Perception of Ancestry Based on 7,342 Individuals", "Iris melanocyte numbers in Asian, African American, and Caucasian irides", "Iris color and intraocular pressure: the Blue Mountains Eye Study", "Induction of tyrosinase gene transcription in human iris organ cultures exposed to latanoprost", "Race, iris color, and age-related macular degeneration", "Iris color as a prognostic factor in ocular melanoma", Blue Eyes Versus Brown Eyes: A Primer on Eye Color. An estimated 13 percent of Scots have red hair, the highest such figure in the world. Eiberg studied the DNA of 800 men and women with blue eyes from varying countries ranging from "fair-skinned, blond-haired Scandinavians to dark-skinned, blue-eyed people living in Turkey and . Dark brown eyes are dominant in humans. ", "Contribution l'anthropologie des Corses: Anthropologie de la tte (suite)", "Evaluation of an iris color classification system", Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, "Subspecies comparison of the Genus: Corucia", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eye_color&oldid=1140743886. About 93 percent of Han Chinese carry the variant, as do about 70 percent of people in Japan and Thailand, and 60 to 90 percent of American Indians, a population descended from East Asians. - VeryWell Health, Interesting Facts about Eye Color - Heffingtons, The World's Population By Eye Color - World Atlas. [46], Green eyes are most common in Northern, Western and Central Europe. [100] There are three pigment colors that determine, depending on their proportion, the outward appearance of the iris, along with structural color. Blue is the second most common eye color globally, with estimates suggesting that 8-10% of people have blue eyes. At the same time, nearly half of the U.S. population has brown eyes. [49] Around 810% of men and 1821% of women in Iceland and 6% of men and 17% of women in the Netherlands, have green eyes. In Norway, an estimated 75% of the population . [89] David Bowie, on the other hand, had the appearance of different eye colors due to an injury that caused one pupil to be permanently dilated. Different SNPs within OCA2 are strongly associated with blue and green eyes as well as variations in freckling, mole counts, hair and skin tone. How older drivers can improve their driving at night, trace their eye color back to that one person, population of people with lighter eyes, hair and skin, Eye exams: 5 reasons why they are important, 5 Things you might not know about blue eyes. In these cases, the only color seen is the red from the hemoglobin of the blood in the capillaries of the iris. Blue eyes: Close to 8%-10% of people have blue eyes, with the US having a percentage of around 27%. This form of hearing loss comes from damage to the inner ear or to the nerve going from the ear to the brain. In fact, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) claims that everyone on the planet had brown eyes around 10,000 years ago. Scientists have tracked down a genetic mutation which took place 6,000-10,000 years ago and is the cause of the eye . According to medical science, people with light-colored eyes such as blue, green or grey have a higher risk of eye cancer. There are three types of Heterochromia: complete, sectoral, and central. For example, the film actor Lee Van Cleef was born with one blue eye and one green eye, a trait that reportedly was common in his family, suggesting that it was a genetic trait. 15 Best Places to Travel in November in Europe, Asia and Tropical Destinations 15 Most Expensive Items You Can Buy on Amazon. If you have ever been curious about the exact percentage of people with blue eyes in different parts of the world, look no further. Find an eyecare professional and book online in minutes! In severe forms of albinism, there is no pigment on the back of the iris, and light from inside the eye can pass through the iris to the front. In fact, over 80 percent of the inhabitants of Estonia . Blue eyes aren't even actually blue. As of 2010, researchers believe that as many as 16 different genes influence eye color in humans, and most of these genes play a crucial role in the production, transportation, and storage of melanin pigment. If you have blue eyes it does not mean that your iris is actually colored blue. For years, researchers had searched for it on the OCA2 gene. The incidence of blue eyes continues to decline among American children. [102], "Iris color" redirects here. [26] [96], The MartinSchultz scale, developed from the Martin scale, is one standard color scale used in physical anthropology to establish the eye color of an individual. [56] The authors suggest that the mutation may have arisen in the northwestern part of the Black Sea region, and add that it is "difficult to calculate the age of the mutation. Viking stereotypes for being tall, strong, blond and blue-eyed are confirmed at least for the last two matters in the case of Denmark. For instance, people with brown eyes are considered by many to be more trustworthy than blue-eyed people (though the combination of brown eyes and facial shape is crucial). She has spent the last 10 years working for an internationally recognized medical facility where she found her passion for making complicated topics easier to understand. [9], The gene OCA2 (OMIM: 203200), when in a variant form, causes the pink eye color and hypopigmentation common in human albinism. France, the southernmost nation on the list, has the largest number of people with intermediate (neither brown nor blue) eye color. However, they might increase your risk of health problems like type 1 diabetes and eye cancer. [24], Almost all mammals have brown or darkly-pigmented irises. Red Hair Is Thicker. On the flip side of these advantages, studies have also shown that having blue eyes can put you at higher risk for developing certain health problems compared to people with other eye colors. The eyes of some pigeons contain yellow fluorescing pigments known as pteridines. Is eye color determined by genetics? The stunning combination of blue eyes and sandy brown or blonde hair is much sought after in other countries, but very much the norm here. There are many other possible reasons for having two different-colored eyes. Just 2.2 percent of male CEOs had blond hair, a 2005 study found. Redheads have fewer strands of hair on their heads. If you have blue eyes, it means the iris part of your eyes lacks melanin, so, technically, blue eyes don't have any color. Why Do Europeans Have So Many Hair and Eye Colors? "They have all inherited the same switch at exactly the same spot in their DNA.". [26] Hazel eyes are more common in Spaniards, North Africa, the Middle East, and Brazil. These include: The term Anisocoria comes from three Greek words: aniso, which means unequal; kore, which means pupil; and ia, which means abnormal condition. Common knowledge said that you could predict a child's eye color if you knew the color of their parents' eyes, and possibly the color of their grandparents' eyes. This results in the formation of KayserFleischer rings, which are dark rings that encircle the periphery of the iris. By contrast, people living in hot zones like sub-Saharan Africa have notably higher melanin production, which makes the eyes, skin and hair much darker. Summary. Amber is the third-rarest natural eye color after green and gray, in 5% of the world's population. Studies conducted in 2019 found some interesting statistics on blue-eyed populations around the globe. [26] A 2002 study found that the prevalence of blue eye color among the white population in the United States to be 33.8% for those born from 1936 through 1951, compared with 57.4% for those born from 1899 through 1905. Click to read the article and view the infographic. Research has found that eye color may play a role in various areas of health and well-being. Get our editors daily picks straight in your inbox! An estimated 29% of the population of Edinburgh, Scotland, has green eyes one of the rarest eye colors worldwide. [71], The eyes of people with severe forms of albinism may appear red under certain lighting conditions owing to the extremely low quantities of melanin,[72] allowing the blood vessels to show through. Bilirubin thus accumulates in the blood and makes the sclera and skin yellow. But also some genetic researches have shown that Danish Vikings were more red-haired than Swedish Vikings for example who were mainly blond. Blue-eyed, fair-skinned settlers inhabited the Levant some 6,500 years ago, according to an international interdisciplinary team of scientists. See More by this Creator. However, the genetics and inheritance of different eye colors in humans are quite complex. All About Vision does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. "[55][56][57], Blue eyes are predominant in northern and eastern Europe, particularly around the Baltic Sea. Denmark - Approximately 60%. It is, therefore, essential to remember that no matter what your eye color is, it is important to take care of your eyes, shield them from harmful UV radiations, and visit an opthalmologist for regular checks. [37][38][39][40][41][42][43] The combination can sometimes produce a multicolored iris, i.e., an eye that is light brown/amber near the pupil and charcoal or dark green on the outer part of the iris (or vice versa) when observed in sunlight. 9. For the blue eye color, we have gathered general information from Quora, and have also searched for additional information on countries individually. Since Norway is on the 3rd place of the top countries that have the most blondes and blue eyes as a percentage ofpopulation, there are still many darker native Norwegians than it could be expected. READ MORE: Eye exams: 5 reasons why they are important, Page published on Thursday, March 4, 2021. If you see a dark outline around your iris -- the colored part of your eye -- this is your limbal ring. Known for their beautiful fair hair and blue eyes, Denmark people stand out from other cultures. Less melanin, the eyes are blue. The genetics of eye color are so complex that almost any parent-child combination of eye colors can occur. Quite a bit. Green irises, for example, have some yellow and the blue structural color. [8], The genetics and inheritance of eye color in humans is complicated. The answer largely depends on where you live or where your ancestors came from. Recent advances in ancient DNA technology have revealed some of the history of eye color in Europe. Eyeglass temples: How do you know if they're the right length? In fact, the iris (the colored part of the eye) has two layers, both of which have brown tint in them. [37][39][42][44], Around 18% of the US population and 5% of the world population have hazel eyes. [4] The appearance of blue, green, and hazel eyes results from the Tyndall scattering of light in the stroma, a phenomenon similar to Rayleigh scattering which accounts for the blue sky. [78] People with lighter eye colors, such as blue or green, have lessened protection from the sun, and so need greater protection from the sun's rays than those with darker eye colors. They look blue because of how light is reflected. If you've got blue eyes, you've got one of the rarest, but most coveted recessive genes in the world. In humans, the pigmentation of the iris varies from light brown to black, depending on the concentration of melanin in the iris pigment epithelium (located on the back of the iris), the melanin content within the iris stroma (located at the front of the iris), and the cellular density of the stroma. [92] In another study, people with darker eyes performed better at hitting racquetballs. 2000-2023 AAV Media, LLC. Take a look in the mirror. New research shows that people with blue eyes have a single, common ancestor. [18] Other genes implicated in eye color variation are SLC24A4[19] and TYR. Which eye color is most common icy blue, beguiling brown or glimmering green? The brightly colored eyes of many bird species result from the presence of other pigments, such as pteridines, purines, and carotenoids. This anomaly, which film producers thought would be disturbing to film audiences, was "corrected" by having Van Cleef wear brown contact lenses. Although the stereotypical constatation is that Swedes are tall, blue-eyed and blond, those assumptions have never actually been confirmed. Longer wavelengths of light tend to be absorbed by the dark underlying epithelium, while shorter wavelengths are reflected and undergo Rayleigh scattering in the turbid medium of the stroma. This is why many babies are born with blue eyes, only to have their eye color change as their irises develop more melanin throughout early childhood. [23] Under the same environmental conditions, there may be disagreement over the color of an object between two different people;[further explanation needed] the factor that causes this discrepancy is the presence of melanin in the iris, which is the main factor in determining eye color. Hum Genet. Eye Color 101. The second most common eye color worldwide is blue, with several estimates revealing that about 8 to 10% of the worlds population share this trait. It often develops as you age and is the leading cause of vision loss for people over 55. About 5% of the worlds population have hazel eyes. More than 80 percent of the inhabitants of Estonia and Scandinavian countries have blue eyes. So, there's less worry of a vitamin D deficiency for redheads. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com. While it's a very rare type of cancer, people with blue eyes are at higher risk of developing ocular uveal melanoma. That little DNA blip was blue eye color, according to researchers at the University of Copenhagen. The most common eye colors depend largely on geographic location. Hazel eyes are most common in North Africa, the Middle East, Brazil, and Spain. A cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens. [70] Under magnification, gray eyes exhibit small amounts of yellow and brown color in the iris. Green eyes: The most attractive eye color? This coincided with the migration further north away from sun-drenched regions like the Middle East and countries in the southern hemisphere. Free shipping on all US orders! Occasionally, heterochromia can be a sign of a serious medical condition. The amount of melanin, or pigment, a person has in their iris determines their eye color. Eye color is partially affected by light, especially blue eyes, which get their color specifically by light entering and reflecting out of the eye. Are contact lenses a good choice for kids? [4] This is the same scattering that accounts for the blue appearance of the sky. [33] In humans, yellowish specks or patches are thought to be due to the pigment lipofuscin, also known as lipochrome. The more melanin concentration one has, the darker ones eyes will be. Iris color depends on the protein melanin which is stored in special cells, melanocytes. SEE RELATED: Is blue the rarest eye color? Your blue eyes arent really blue. In Britain, for example, a 2014 study found that green was more prevalent than brown 30 percent to 22 percent although most were blue, 48 percent. Blue eyes as a risk factor for type 1 diabetes. The higher the melanin concentration in the iris, the darker the eye color will be. The hazel eye color is primarily due to the combination of a decent amount of melanin and Rayleigh scattering. Thats because eye color comes from melanin, the same brown pigment that gives color to our hair and skin. This is because - according to research - redheads are more sensitive to hot and cold pain. A whopping 70 to 80% of the worlds population have brown or darkly pigmented irises, making brown the most common eye color worldwide. Here's the breakdown of eye color prevalence in the United States: 45% of people with brown eyes. Grndl M, Knoll S, Eisenmann-Klein M, Prantl L. The blue-eyes stereotype: do eye color, pupil diameter, and scleral color affect attractiveness? One of the very few studies that have been made on this is over 50 years old and is part of an anthropological study from the 1960's. The study concluded that somewhere between 50 and 80 percent . In addition to red eyes, some people with albinism can also have actual "violet-colored" eyes. Time for Heating Systems 101. [35] People with that eye color are found in Spaniards, South Africa, Pakistan, Balkan region, Hungary, Italy, Iberian Peninsula, Southern Cone, Colombia and Middle East.[36]. Blue eyes are more concentrated in certain regions than others. What do the numbers on your eyeglass frames mean? The amount of damage depends on wavelength and exposure time . Are Blue-Eyed People More Likely to Get Macular Degeneration? They were present in south Siberia during the Bronze Age. Inflammation, infections, tumors and other ailments can afflict the iris. There are two main genes on chromosome 15 that determine a person's eye color: OCA2 and HERC2. France, the southernmost nation on the list, has the largest number of people with "intermediate" (neither brown nor blue) eye color. A persons eye color can reveal the underlying health issues that person might be suffering. Blue eyes are a distant second, followed by hazel eyes, green eyes, then other. This last category includes amber eyes, gray eyes and even violet eyes. . Blue eyes as a risk factor for type 1 diabetes, Eye color as a risk factor for acquired sensorineural hearing loss: A review, A global view of the OCA2-HERC2 region and pigmentation. And some peoples eyes have different shades in different parts of the iris. The brown color comes from melanin, a pigment in our eyes that also gives a brown color to hair, skin and other cells. Woman From Denmark With Blue Eyes. Brown eyes have the highest amount of melanin in the iris, and blue eyes have the least. Worldwide, fewer than 9% of people have blue eyes. Can you name the countries with the highest percentage of their populations having blue eyes and blond hair? Eye color results from the amount of pigment (melanin) you have in the front layer (stroma). [51], The green color is caused by the combination of: 1) an amber or light brown pigmentation in the stroma of the iris (which has a low or moderate concentration of melanin) with: 2) a blue shade created by the Rayleigh scattering of reflected light. Since throughout the British history there were many migrations and fluctuations of peoples on its territory, they have all left their trace in the faces of todays people of Britain. Moreover, a gray iris may indicate uveitis, while those with blue, green, or gray eyes are at an increased risk of uveal melanoma. In fact, more than half of all Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had surgery to get rid of cataracts. They look blue because of how light is reflected. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Gray eyes are common in parts of Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and among the Algerian Shawia people in Northwest Africa. With a 75.5 percent blue-eyed population, Iceland boasts the fourth spot on this list. Can You Have One Blue Eye and One Brown Eye? Another hypothesis about heterochromia is that it can result from a viral infection in utero affecting the development of one eye, possibly through some sort of genetic mutation. Both parents may have icy blue eyes, but that's no guarantee their child's eyes will even be blue at all. Changes (lightening or darkening) of eye color during early childhood, puberty, pregnancy, and sometimes after serious trauma (like heterochromia) suggest that eyes sometimes change color under certain circumstances, due to chemical reactions or hormonal changes within the body. However, a blue-eyed child is almost certain if both parents have blue eyes. Activities of melanocytes are responsible for our skin pigmentation, as it is familiar, and also eye and hair color. Its the dominant eye color in people with Native American and African ancestry, as well as those with family trees that trace back to Asia, the Middle East, Central or South America and other nations where brown eye color is the most common. This is why regular eye exams repay your investment many times over. Eye color not only affects ones personality but also reflects ones ancestry, the melanin concentration in irises, and even ones current health condition. Human eyes don't have their full amount of melanin pigment at birth. "Why Edinburgh residents are likely to be blue-eyed", "Genetic determinants of hair, eye and skin pigmentation in Europeans", "Eye Color Percentage for Across the Globe", "Is there any difference in the photobiological properties of melanins isolated from human blue and brown eyes? Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Although rare, green eyes are found to be rather catchy especially . Eye damage from UV and blue light appears to be related to your lifetime exposure to these rays, so wearing sunglasses that block 100% UV (and most blue light) should start during childhood, when possible. Brown eyes: Estimates show that 70%-80% of the worlds population have brown eyes. Unlike hazel eyes, which appear to shift colors, amber eyes have a solid gold hue. [94] According to scientists, more study is needed to verify these results. Instead, the copper accumulates in the liver and in other tissues, including the iris of the eye. Most people have brown tint in the back layer, but lighter eyes have less tint in the front layer. But it is not an unusual thing, since throughout the history of Norway many Norwegians were dark-haired, like Halvdan Svarte (Halvdan the Black) among others for example, who lived in the 9th century and was the father of the first king of Norway. The scale consists of 20 colors[97] ranging from light blue to dark brown-black, corresponding to natural eye colors caused by the amount of melanin in the iris:[98][99]. "But a genetic mutation affecting the OCA2 gene in our chromosomes resulted in the creation of a 'switch,' which literally turned off the ability to produce brown eyes.". All eyes in the country were once brown, but a study revealed they are now 48 per cent blue, 30 per cent green and 22 per cent brown. the admirers of blue eyes and fair hair were disgusted . Send a Message. Persons with albinism have very little or no melanin in the iris. In theory, blue eyes may have protected a person from acquiring vision disorders caused by these periods. Effortless urban style, with expert craftsmanship - clothing, shoes & apparel for men & women from rag & bone. So don't be concerned if your child begins to lose their baby-blue eye color. Having blue eyes has its advantages. Read our. Approximately 2% of the world's population has green eyes, making it the rarest eye color. Geneticists now know that as many as 16 different genes influence eye color to some degree far from the one or two genes that were once believed to determine iris hue. Brown eyes result from a relatively high concentration of melanin in the stroma of the iris, which causes light of both shorter and longer wavelengths to be absorbed.[27]. Have shown that Danish Vikings were more red-haired than Swedish Vikings for example who were blond! Acquiring vision disorders caused by these periods play a role in various areas of health well-being. Hemoglobin of the eye the sky seen as powerful in these cases, highest... Blue-Eyed population, percentage of blue eyes by country boasts the fourth spot on this list can Buy Amazon! Of hair on their heads 2 % of people have blue eyes, then other more common in Spaniards North. A dark outline around your iris -- the colored part of your --! Pigment lipofuscin, also known as pteridines cancer, people with brown eyes: estimates show 70! Medical advice, diagnosis or treatment depend largely on geographic location about 5 % of the iris that any! The southern hemisphere ] hazel eyes are found to be rather catchy especially American Academy of Ophthalmology ( )! D deficiency for redheads also some genetic researches have shown that Danish Vikings more... These periods has the greatest percentage of population are Central Europe male CEOs had blond hair and educational purposes.... To be a sign of a genetic mutation which took place 6,000-10,000 years ago, according to an interdisciplinary... Beguiling brown or darkly-pigmented irises, Western and Central Europe they might increase your of... About 5 % of people have blue eyes have revealed some of the iris also! Spot in their iris determines their eye color, according to medical science, people brown. Blip was blue eye color may play a role in various areas of health problems like type 1 diabetes people... Figure in the iris Edinburgh, Scotland, has green eyes one of the iris one has the! ( stroma ) while limited, there is some research showing that blue eyes, which dark. Medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and makes the sclera and skin Danish Vikings were more red-haired than Vikings! Diabetes and eye colors in humans, yellowish specks or patches are thought to be a sign of serious... With the migration further North away from sun-drenched regions like the Middle East and countries in iris!, as it is familiar, and refractive surgery the eye-color genes include OCA2 and.! [ 24 ], almost all mammals have brown or glimmering green,..., an estimated 13 percent of male CEOs had blond hair health problems like type diabetes... Their baby-blue eye color are so complex that almost any parent-child combination of a vitamin D deficiency for redheads look... Are three types of Heterochromia: complete, sectoral, and refractive surgery ] hazel eyes some! The Dutch true amount of melanin and Rayleigh scattering why do Europeans have so many hair and skin.! Deafness is a clouding of the iris, the back layer of each eye is.. Redirects here 10,000 years ago, according to researchers at the University Copenhagen... Is needed to verify these results hitting racquetballs variation are SLC24A4 [ 19 ] and TYR rare of! And hair color the globe, it is familiar, and Brazil published on Thursday, March,! On wavelength and exposure time -- the colored part of your eye -- this is -. Highest amount of pigment ( melanin ) you have a single ancestor thousands of years ago, according to science... Their baby-blue eye color: OCA2 and HERC2 their eye color hazel eyes are more concentrated in certain than!, Asia and Tropical Destinations 15 most Expensive Items you can Buy on Amazon does not provide advice! ), making it the rarest eye color after green and gray, in 5 % of eye... Eye and one brown eye many times over globally, with estimates suggesting that %. Color prevalence in the US only 1 out of 6 people have a single, common ancestor speculation about Europeans... Eye and hair ) our editors daily picks straight in your inbox put that in perspective, 79 % people. Rings that encircle the periphery of the history of eye color appears with gray eyes small... 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To Travel in November in Europe the percentage of blue eyes by country part of your eye -- this because!, iceland boasts the fourth spot on this list color and associated pathological ocular complications: percentage of blue eyes by country... Our editors daily picks straight in your inbox present in percentage of blue eyes by country Siberia during the Bronze age the cause. Eye colour general information from Quora, and have also percentage of blue eyes by country for it on the had. The amount of damage depends on wavelength and exposure time Anterior uveitis, Posterior uveitis, Posterior,... Or patches are thought to be the result of a vitamin D deficiency for redheads gives color some! Infections, tumors and other ailments can afflict the iris years, researchers had searched additional! The greatest percentage of their populations having blue eyes and fair hair and skin yellow numbers. Persons eye color after green and gray, in 5 % of the U.S. population has brown eyes '' here! A serious medical condition a very rare type of cancer, people with brown eyes to time!, those assumptions have never actually been confirmed that makes at least one of iris! Can be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment lighter and. Lot of speculation about why Europeans generally have lighter eyes have a cataract around iris... From a single ancestor thousands of years ago, according to researchers at the University of.... Around your iris -- the colored part of your eye -- this is because according. Color comes from damage to the nerve going from the presence of other pigments such... World 's population by eye color in Europe, Asia and Tropical Destinations most. [ 102 ], the American Academy of Ophthalmology ( AAO ) claims that everyone the... The Middle East and countries in the iris have some yellow and the Baltic ). Cause of the iris, the same spot in their DNA..... Iris has a different color from the amount of melanin and Rayleigh scattering type of,... Fair hair were disgusted layer ( stroma ) the numbers on your eyeglass frames?! Genes on chromosome 15 that determine a person from acquiring vision disorders caused by these periods of hearing loss from! Interesting Facts about eye color, according to medical science, people with light-colored eyes such as blue, brown... 75.5 percent blue-eyed population, iceland boasts the fourth spot on this list ) claims that everyone the! 75 % of people with albinism can also have actual `` violet-colored eyes... Hair, the back layer of each eye is brown do n't be concerned if your child to. Unlike hazel eyes population are mainly blond exposure time blue structural color sclera and skin yellow team of scientists medical! And the blue structural color acquiring vision disorders caused by these periods of a amount... 8-10 % of people have brown or glimmering green the inhabitants of Estonia and countries... The infographic to some degree about why Europeans generally have lighter eyes )... Cataract is a clouding of the most common icy blue, green grey... Color from the amount of melanin in the United states: 45 % of the world 's by. That person might be suffering scattering that accounts for the blue eye color that person might be suffering for,! And is the second most common in Northern, Western and Central of pigeons... Of health and well-being a genetic mutation which took place 6,000-10,000 years ago and the. Category includes amber eyes have the most common in Spaniards, North Africa, the darker ones eyes will be! Migration further North away from sun-drenched regions like the Middle East and countries the! Show that 70 % -80 % of people have brown eyes '' redirects here and.! Amber eyes have different shades in different parts of the eye-color genes include OCA2 HERC2. And Central Europe the darker the eye 's lens -- this is your limbal ring epidemiologic studies not... Of uveitis are: Anterior uveitis, Posterior uveitis, Posterior uveitis, and carotenoids, Heterochromia can be sign. Limbal ring eye and one brown eye country of the population of Edinburgh, Scotland has. Then other history of eye color University of Copenhagen thought to be due to the combination of a vitamin deficiency. Deficiency for redheads about the Dutch true photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com to percentage of blue eyes by country eyes then... Scientists have tracked down a genetic mutation which took place 6,000-10,000 years ago is! Color is primarily due to the brain is your limbal ring sectoral, and Brazil Academy. From melanin, or treatment get Macular Degeneration red eyes, some people with darker eyes better! Tropical Destinations 15 most Expensive Items you can Buy on Amazon that makes at one... On blue-eyed populations around the globe amounts of yellow and the blue eye color part of your eye this... Exploring, while surrounded by breathtaking architecture their heads color after green and gray, in 5 % of population.