So don't be concerned if your child begins to lose their baby-blue eye color. Are contact lenses a good choice for kids? Amber eyes have a little more melanin than hazel eyes, and still account for approximately 5% of the population. European Americans with recent Celtic and Germanic ancestry account for 16% of people with green eyes. The top layer, called the epithelium, is where the melanin (pigment) that gives an eye its color lives. Blue eyes are an inherited trait. Scientists are looking into the possibility of those who have blue eyes being at higher risk for sensorineural hearing loss. Sitting sixth on this list, Denmark's population is 60 percent blue-eyed. 27% with blue . Your pupil is the small black opening in the center. Blue eyes are also found in southern Europe, Central Asia, South Asia, North Africa and West Asia. Now, as Paul Rincon of the BBC reports, genome analysis has revealed that Cheddar Man had dark brown skin and blue eyesa discovery that adds to a growing body of research indicating that the . So, the more melanin you have, the darker your eyes appear. As far as researchers can tell, this was the first person with blue eyes, and everyone who has blue eyes today is a (very) distant relative of this ancient human. 2012;131(5):683-96. doi:10.1007/s00439-011-1110-x. There is no blue pigmentation either in the iris or in the vitreous body. The total number of genes that contribute to eye color is unknown, but there are a few likely candidates. An article released Monday in the peer-reviewed . Effortless urban style, with expert craftsmanship - clothing, shoes & apparel for men & women from rag & bone. Whether it is due to genetics or lifestyle factors, there are a lot of interesting things to learn about these stunning individuals and their unique heritage. Sitting sixth on this list, Denmark 's population is 60 percent blue-eyed. Eye melanoma is known to be more common for those with fair skin and light-colored 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 as a risk factor for type 1 diabetes. Hazel eyes: What determines hazel eye color. A cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens. An estimated 29% of the population of Edinburgh, Scotland, has green eyes one of the rarest eye colors worldwide. In fact, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) claims that everyone on the planet had brown eyes around 10,000 years ago. 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. Amber is the third-rarest natural eye color after green and gray, in 5% of the world's population. However, some studies have suggested that many of these may be more blue-grey in color meaning they contain even less melanin than their blue-eyed cousins. Whether you have blue, brown, green, or hazel eyes, always take good care of your eyes, it will keep them healthy for years to come! But also some genetic researches have shown that Danish Vikings were more red-haired than Swedish Vikings for example who were mainly blond. So, having in mind how low is the statistical probability for blue eyes and blond hair it is not a surprise that percentage of blue eyesworldwide is just around 8%, and, for example, in the US, only 1 in 6 people have light eye color. The brown color comes from melanin, a pigment in our eyes that also gives a brown color to hair, skin and other cells. Anisocoria thus refers to an abnormal condition characterized by different pupil sizes. The hazel eye color is primarily due to the combination of a decent amount of melanin and Rayleigh scattering. The extensive study on the genetic mutation was carried out by researchers at three Japanese universities; the research concluded that the genetic mutation occurred around 9,000 BC, as a result of various environmental and evolutionary factors. The green color is from a combination of a blue hue from Rayleigh scattering and "yellow" from the yellow pigment called lipochrome. 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. Persons with albinism have very little or no melanin in the iris. About half as many Americans have blue eyes as brown eyes. This one person with a genetic mutation had children, and the trait was passed to the next generation. A person may also have more than one eye color, a condition called Heretochromia, which affects less than 1% of people. Follow. Hazel eyes: What determines hazel eye color? Researches at Penn State University identified SLC24A5 as the gene responsible for skin pigmentation, and a specific mutation within it responsible for fair skin. (An estimated 55 percent of all people . And in the end, we have gone through some maps provided by Unsafe Harbour made on basis of some scientific research on the matter of countries that have the most blondes and blue eyes as a percentage of population. These clear lenses block 100% UV both indoors and outside, and automatically darken when they're exposed to outdoor sunlight. 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. Eye color is a polygenic phenotypic character determined by two factors: the pigmentation of the eye's iris[1][2] and the frequency-dependence of the scattering of light by the turbid medium in the stroma of the iris. Even people with the lightest blue eyes, with no melanin on the front of the iris at all, have dark brown coloration on the back of it, to prevent light from scattering around inside the eye. [68] Alternatively, it has been suggested that gray and blue eyes might differ in the concentration of melanin at the front of the stroma.[68]. The iris is the colored part of the eye that surrounds the pupil. Well, that makes at least one of the most common stereotypical statements about the Dutch true. They lower your risk of developing cataracts, for instance. . Denmark, the Polish coast and the Baltic states), making it in effect an almost entirely blonde-bounded lake. Dissection reveals that the iris pigment epithelium is brownish black due to the presence of melanin. Image credit: Aleksandar Mijatovic via Shutterstock. Red Hair Is Thicker. 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. In the same way, you can get melanoma on your skin, you can also get melanoma in your eye. Get our editors daily picks straight in your inbox! Although there are some claims that around 99% of Estonians have blue eyes, we have gone with the one probably more realistic assumption that around 64% of Estonian population has blue-grayish eyes. Blue eyes and blond hair (as well as all others for that matter) are the results of genetic variations. There is some research that shows people do say blue eyes along with bright whites of the eyes and large pupils are ideal marks of beauty. It is a result of the relative excess or lack of pigment within an iris or part of an iris, which may be inherited or acquired by disease or injury. Iceland, the northernmost country of the bunch, has the greatest percentage of people with blue eyes. [4] This is the same scattering that accounts for the blue appearance of the sky. 2. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Find an eyecare professional and book online in minutes! "Originally, we all had brown eyes" said Eiberg. People with blue eyes have a single, common ancestor, according to new research. Light brown eye color is most common in Europe, West Asia, and the Americas. If you have ever been curious about the exact percentage of people with blue eyes in different parts of the world, look no further. It is, therefore, interesting to note how eye colors vary worldwide and the different percentages of people in the world that have brown, blue, hazel, amber, green, and gray eyes. The term Heterochromia, derived from the Ancient Greek words: heteros, which means different, and chroma, which means color, refers to a disorder in which a person has more than one eye color. Blue eyes are also found in Central Asia, North Africa, South Asia, West Asia, and Southern Europe. READ MORE: Eye exams: 5 reasons why they are important, Page published on Thursday, March 4, 2021. View Reports-/5-RATE Blue eyes percentage: 50-80. Symptoms of uveitis include burning and redness of the eyes, blurred vision, headaches, etc. 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. However, the shade of brown varies depending on the portion of the world one resides in. 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. 4. New research shows that people with blue eyes have a single, common ancestor. Blue eyes may have developed due to an evolutionary response to the dark winters prevalent in Northern Europe. [90] On occasion, a difference in eye color is caused by blood staining the iris after injury. This form of hearing loss comes from damage to the inner ear or to the nerve going from the ear to the brain. Redheads can change temperature quicker. Cataracts are very common as you get older. 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. [45], Green eyes probably result from the interaction of multiple variants within the OCA2 and other genes. Blue eyes have almost no tint in the front layer of the iris. Blue eyes are an inherited trait. [54] In 2008, new research tracked down one genetic mutation that leads to blue eyes. Doctors with years of training and experience know how to catch these conditions soon enough to prevent permanent damage. The answer largely depends on where you live or where your ancestors came from. Indeed, one study found evidence of blue-eyed hunters and gatherers roaming Spain 7,000 years ago. Former U.S. When a portion of one iris is a different color from its remaining part, it is sectoral Heterochromia. [29] Brown eyes are common in Europe, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, West Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Americas. Blue 8.0%. At one time, it was believed that eye color, blue eyes included, was a simple genetic trait. Finnish people pride themselves in their honesty, humility, pensiveness, and perseverance, which not surprisingly, are all attributes associated with the color blue. In addition, OCA2 and HERC2 are the two major genes associated with the variation in eye colors. Apart from the most usual hair being blond, and eye color blue, there are all combinations and variations of colors on Iceland. However, when asked about the attractiveness of specific eyes, there doesn't seem to be a real preference for blue eyes over other iris colors. However, a blue-eyed child is almost certain if both parents have blue eyes. Whats the Difference Between Vitiligo and Albinism? But lets not get things too scientific at this point. Blue light is then reflected out, which makes the iris appear blue even though it's actually colorless. Eye color not only affects ones personality but also reflects ones ancestry, the melanin concentration in irises, and even ones current health condition. Time for Heating Systems 101. According to medical science, people with light-colored eyes such as blue, green or grey have a higher risk of eye cancer. That doesn't necessarily mean that the parents themselves have to have blue eyes; it's possible they carry the gene, but it is recessive. The blue-eyes stereotype: do eye color, pupil diameter, and scleral color affect attractiveness? [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. The researchers found four key areas of the genome where variation closely correlated with skin color differences. Rather than including a blue pigment, they actually just lack the pigment that makes eyes brown. As the child develops, melanocytes (cells found within the iris of human eyes, as well as skin and hair follicles) slowly begin to produce melanin. [91] However, there is a study that found that dark-eyed people perform better at "reactive-type tasks", which suggests they may have better reaction times. 2012;36(2):234-240. doi:10.1007/s00266-011-9793-x, Di Stasio E, Maggi D, Berardesca E, et al. Favorite. [95] Classification systems have ranged from a basic light or dark description to detailed gradings employing photographic standards for comparison. ", 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. Contact lenses can give your eyes a hazel appearance. The mutation causes a lowered production of melanin which is a pigment located in the eyes that determines its color. Green 2.0%. 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. [9], The gene OCA2 (OMIM: 203200), when in a variant form, causes the pink eye color and hypopigmentation common in human albinism. In fact, only about 17 percent of the world's population has blue eyes. Europe was the epicenter of the blue-eye gene mutation. Instead, the copper accumulates in the liver and in other tissues, including the iris of the eye. Hungary having green eyes is a bit of Truth in Television, as Hungary and Turkey are tied for having the highest percentage of green eyes of any country in the world: 20% each. Brown-eyed individuals, on the other hand, have a lot more variation. Percentage of Population with Blue Eyes Country Percentage of Population with Blond Hair; 89%: 80%: 75%: 78%: 65%: 75%: 90%: 70%: 85%: 70%: 65% . [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. Click to read the article and view the infographic. The areas encompass eight genetic variants which, in total, explain 29 percent of the variation in skin color in the groups studied, a surprisingly large amount for such a complex trait that almost certainly involves the combinatory action of many genes. Countries with the most blue-eyed people. Most Asian and African children are born with brown and black eyes. It has shown that indigenous people of Melanesia evolved blonde hair independently of the European population, having around 5-10% of blondes, despite darker eye and skin color. Moreover, the Tyndall scattering of light in the iris stroma results in the appearance of blue, green, and hazel eyes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [93] There are also other studies that challenge these findings. Eye Color 101. In cases of central Heterochromia, the irises are identical, but there is a ring of different colors around the pupil. 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]. Hazel eyes are most common in North Africa, the Middle East, Brazil, and Spain. Blue eye color is determined by melanin, and melanin is actually brown by nature. "Originally, we all had brown eyes," said Hans Eiberg, associate professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the university. [7] Humans and other animals have many phenotypic variations in eye color. Estonia is the country most known for its fair-skinned, blue-eyed population, followed closely by Finland. Heterochromia is extremely rare in humans, and less than 1% of the worlds population has this condition. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Is eye color determined by genetics? Eyes only appear to be these colors because of the way light strikes the layers of the iris and reflects back toward the viewer. Why Do Europeans Have So Many Hair and Eye Colors? Scientists have tracked down a genetic mutation which took place 6,000-10,000 years ago and is the cause of the eye . It may take up to six months for the gene responsible for creating the pigment in the eyes to activate melanin production. Eye color is a polygenic phenotypic character determined by two factors: the pigmentation of the eye's iris and the frequency-dependence of the scattering of light by the turbid medium in the stroma of the iris. 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. The amount of melanin, or pigment, a person has in their iris determines their eye color. [102], "Iris color" redirects here. Since I think weve had enough of scientific introduction to this subject, lets now get to meet the top countries that have the most blondes and blue eyes as a percentage ofpopulation. France, the southernmost nation on the list, has the largest number of people with intermediate (neither brown nor blue) eye color. Many babies born with blue eyes experience a change in color as more pigment develops within the first three years. Amber eyes may also contain amounts of very light gold-ish gray. 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. Hazel eyes are most common in the Middle East, North Africa, Brazil, and people of Spanish heritage. These people make up about 9% of the U.S. population. 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