Originally, all human eyes were brown. The origin of the gene giving rise to blond hair color has been traced back to the last Ice Age 11,000 years ago. Both parents may have icy blue eyes, but that's no guarantee their child's eyes will even be blue at all. Blue eyes with a brown spot, green eyes, and gray eyes are caused by an entirely different part of the genome. Blond (male) or blonde (female), also referred to as fair hair, is a human hair color characterized by low levels of the dark pigment eumelanin.The resultant visible hue depends on various factors, but always has some yellowish color. SEE RELATED: How color contact lenses can make anyone's eyes blue. 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. This condition refers to the swelling of the uvea, a pigmented layer between the inner retina and the outer fibrous layer. [55] Eiberg and colleagues suggested in a study published in Human Genetics that a mutation in the 86th intron of the HERC2 gene, which is hypothesized to interact with the OCA2 gene promoter, reduced expression of OCA2 with subsequent reduction in melanin production. "From this we can conclude that all blue-eyed individuals are linked to the same ancestor," said Eiberg. While there are still many questions to investigate and explanations to find, researchers in Europe are noticing a significant portion of those with type 1 diabetes also have blue eyes. They are also part of what makes Swedes so unique! Eyeglass temples: How do you know if they're the right length? Blue eye color is determined by melanin, and melanin is actually brown by nature. This damage will cause your vision to become blurrier and more distorteda condition called macular degeneration. Hazel/amber is the next rarest of these. Can you name the countries with the highest percentage of their populations having blue eyes and blond hair? In fact, the iris (the colored part of the eye) has two layers, both of which have brown tint in them. Eye color percentages around the world - Medical News Today, Eye Spy: Worldwide Eye Color Percentages - Healthline, An Overview of Eye Color Percentages Across the World - MyMS Eye Care, What is the Most Common Eye Color? This would be analogous to the change in the color of the sky, from the blue given by the Rayleigh scattering of sunlight by small gas molecules when the sky is clear, to the gray caused by Mie scattering of large water droplets when the sky is cloudy. Norway. A global view of the OCA2-HERC2 region and pigmentation. 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. Non-brown eyes have no different color pigments. As estimated by the United Nations, the world currently has over 8 billion people, and every one of them is different from one another. Moreover, a gray iris may indicate uveitis, while those with blue, green, or gray eyes are at an increased risk of uveal melanoma. Sitting sixth on this list, Denmark 's population is 60 percent blue-eyed. We all know those people whose eyes look nothing like their parents, but there was some cousin or ancestor in their family that they resemble much to. [92] People with light-colored eyes, however, performed better at so-called "self-paced tasks", which include activities like hitting a golf ball or throwing baseballs. Follow. Age-Related Macular Degeneration. It may take up to six months for the gene responsible for creating the pigment in the eyes to activate melanin production. Can You Have One Blue Eye and One Brown Eye? Indeed, one study found evidence of blue-eyed hunters and gatherers roaming Spain 7,000 years ago. Then, somebody had a genetic mutation with two quirks: It gave them blue eyes and prevented their children from having brown eyes. Home Improvement / story. Redheads have fewer strands of hair on their heads. Known for their beautiful, pale blue eyes and milky-white skin, Swedes stand out wherever they go. Most people have brown tint in the back layer, but lighter eyes have less tint in the front layer. 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. Researchers believe there is one ancestor responsible for this eye color. Bookmark Quiz Bookmark Quiz Bookmark. The website WorldAtlas.com takes a stab at estimating the breakdown of eye colors worldwide. As we have noted, blonde hair and light eyes depend on the amount of melanin extracted. Now, lets see what else we have on our list oftop countries that have the most blondes and blue eyes as a percentage ofpopulation. Your genes determine whether you have blue eyes. Blue eyes actually didn't exist 10,000 years ago. Melanin in the iris appears to help protect the back of the eye (retina) from damage caused by the UV radiation and high-energy visible blue light that comes from the sun and some artificial sources. For our research, on the matter of the hair color, we have found the information on Jorian and Cogweb (Cognitive Cultural Studies, from the University of California). Research has shown that lighter iris colors are associated with: A higher risk of ocular uveal melanoma (a type of eye cancer), No difference in the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. If you inherit blue-eye genes from your parents, it means that your eyes will have less of a pigment called melanin in them. [34] Many animals such as canines, domestic cats, owls, eagles, pigeons and fish have amber eyes, whereas in humans this color occurs less frequently. Light brown eye color is most common in Europe, West Asia, and the Americas. Hazel eyes are usually a combination of green and brown and often flecks of gold or orange. Eye melanoma is known to be more common for those with fair skin and light-colored eyes. [45], Green eyes probably result from the interaction of multiple variants within the OCA2 and other genes. That's more in line with the hair color's natural occurrence. "Blue eyes are seen as powerful. Some speculate that this change in environment was a contributing factor. Is eye color determined by genetics? Human eyes don't have their full amount of melanin pigment at birth. Blue eyes aren't even actually blue. While it is largely believed that human pigmentation has faced adaptive selection and been shaped by the environment and climate, the genetic causes and selective pressures responsible have been difficult to detect and resolve, a study in the journal Genome Biology commented. Blue eyes as a risk factor for type 1 diabetes. The brightly colored eyes of many bird species result from the presence of other pigments, such as pteridines, purines, and carotenoids. While eye color is not a defining characteristic of a person, it can be interesting to see how the distribution of different colors varies from place to place. Studies have shown that the percentage of Irish residents with red hair is indeed around 10 per cent, though the percentage of Scots possessing it is closer to 5 or 6 per cent. That's 13 million people, out of the 7.6 billion on Earth. Unsurprisingly, another Scandinavian country has placed itself third on our list of countries with the highest percentage of blond hair citizens. Eye color in non-human animals is regulated differently. Almost everyone (even people with blue or green eyes) has brown pigment in the back layer of the iris. Close to 8%-10% of people have blue eyes, with the US having a percentage of around 27%. Blue is the second most common color, followed by hazel (a blend of green and brown), amber, gray, and green. The collagen is scatted by light to make the eyes look gray. Persons with albinism have very little or no melanin in the iris. The green color is from a combination of a blue hue from Rayleigh scattering and "yellow" from the yellow pigment called lipochrome. So, take these figures with a pinch of salt. Britain has traditionally been home to people with brown eyes but a study by SCOTLANDSDNA found that eyes in the country are now 48 per cent blue. [46], Green eyes are most common in Northern, Western and Central Europe. Blue eyes have small amounts of melanin while brown eyes are rich in melanin. People with green eyes have a bit more melanin than people with blue eyes. Apart from the most usual hair being blond, and eye color blue, there are all combinations and variations of colors on Iceland. Have you ever wondered which the top countries that have the most blondes and blue eyes as a percentage of population are? Hazel 5-8%. Blue eyes are also found in Central Asia, North Africa, South Asia, West Asia, and Southern Europe. Around 17 per cent of people have blue eyes, and when combined with 1-2 per cent having red hair, the odds of having both traits are around 0.17 per cent. Symptoms of uveitis include burning and redness of the eyes, blurred vision, headaches, etc. Brown irises contain more or less melanin. Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue Crystal GayleIt was released in June 1977 and reached Number 1 on the Country Billboard Charts, Number 2 on the Billboard Ho. While limited, there is some research showing that blue eyes may protect you against seasonal affective disorder. Blue is the second most common and brown tops the list with 45% of the U.S. population and possibly almost 80% worldwide. Rather than including a blue pigment, they actually just lack the pigment that makes eyes brown. Share with Friends Add To Playlist. This occurs in humans and certain breeds of domesticated animals and affects less than 1 percent of the world's population. About 5% of the worlds population and 18% of Americans have hazel eyes -- a mixture of green, gold, and orange. WorldAtlas. All blue-eyed people have one ancestor in common, born around 6,000 to 10,000 years ago. Blue 8.0%. 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. (This same effect makes the sky appear blue.). All About Vision does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Some medical conditions affect ones eye color. Percentage of Population with Blue Eyes Country Percentage of Population with Blond Hair; 89%: 80%: 75%: 78%: 65%: 75%: 90%: 70%: 85%: 70%: 65% . The North American brothers are similarly blonde-haired and blue-eyed. From 6-36 months, cells in the iris start producing melanin and the eye color will change. Just 2.2 percent of male CEOs had blond hair, a 2005 study found. In the US only 1 out of 6 people have a light (blue) eye colour. At the end, what we got was a blonde map of Europe. Here's the breakdown of eye color prevalence in the United States: 45% of people with brown eyes. The color can be from the very pale blond (caused by a patchy, scarce distribution of pigment) to reddish "strawberry" blond or golden-brownish ("sandy") blond . Priscilla Vu, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist. Grey 0%. [7] Humans and other animals have many phenotypic variations in eye color. Transillumination defects can almost always be observed during an eye examination due to lack of iridial pigmentation. 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. Blue eye color is determined by melanin, and melanin is actually brown by nature. But about 30 percent of left-handed folks are either partial to the right hemisphere or have no dominant hemisphere at all. Nothing to do with their mythical fiery temperament! Your pupil is the small black opening in the center. Almost all humans have some brown in their eyes. Although people with lighter eye color are generally more sensitive to light because they have less pigment in the iris to protect them from sunlight, there is little to no evidence that eye color has a direct impact on vision qualities such as visual acuity. 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. [8], The genetics and inheritance of eye color in humans is complicated. Krystina is a Technical Writer with a background in healthcare. As that generation had children and moved around, the blue eye mutation continued to spread across many parts of the globe. 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. Green eyes are common in Europe's Central, Western, and Northern regions. At the same time, nearly half of the U.S. population has brown eyes. Researchers believe there is one ancestor responsible for blue eyes that descended from the Black Sea region of southeastern Europe anywhere between 6,000 to 10,000 years ago. Blond hair percentage: 75. They look blue because of how light is reflected. All About Vision and AllAboutVision.com are registered trademarks of AAV Media, LLC. Only 2% of the world's population have green eyes, making it the rarest eye color. Report. It shows up in about 9% of Americans but only 2% of the world's population. Brown melanin is the only pigment that exists in the eye; there is . 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. Mujica-Mota MA, Schermbrucker J, Daniel SJ. or brown eyes. Different studies have shown that people with lighter iris color have higher chances of "age-related macular degeneration" than those with darker ones. This is because - according to research - redheads are more sensitive to hot and cold pain. The amount of damage depends on wavelength and exposure time . This means everyone with blue eyes has one thing in commonthey're all related. 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. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. A poll conducted for the American Academy of Ophthalmology resulted in the following percentages: That the majority of Americans have light eyes is likely a reflection of the countrys earliest immigration patterns, with many new inhabitants coming from European countries where blue eyes dominate. Since beauty is nowadays mostly the matter of a subjective opinion, there are still some standards that define someone as beautiful, but on that matter, you will find more interesting information in the article aboutcountries with the most beautiful women in Europe andcountries with the most beautiful women in the world. Gray eyes: A rare and beautiful eye color. [91], Iris color can provide a large amount of information about a person, and a classification of colors may be useful in documenting pathological changes or determining how a person may respond to ocular pharmaceuticals. Scientists believe that all blue-eyed people trace back to a common ancestor, who most likely carried a genetic mutation that resulted in reduced melanin production. The highest percentages of fair-haired people can be found around the Baltic Sea (e.g. Are contact lenses a good choice for kids? Worldwide, fewer than 9% of people have blue eyes. [28] In many parts of the world, it is nearly the only iris color present. They studied the genes that coded blue eyes in all of these individuals. 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. It is darkest when we are at our healthiest and naturally fades . Genetic research suggests that until about 10,000 years ago, pretty much everyone had brown eyes. 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. Now, geneticists suggest everybody with non-brown eyes can trace their eye color back to that one person. Eye color may not remain constant throughout your life. While it's a very rare type of cancer, people with blue eyes are at higher risk of developing ocular uveal melanoma. The higher the amount of melanin in the iris and the denser the texture of the melanin, the darker the color of a person's eyes; the same melanin concentration also depends on many factors such as hereditary and environmental ones. If you have a darker iris color, you are at a greater risk of developing this eye disease. A person may also have more than one eye color, a condition called Heretochromia, which affects less than 1% of people. If there is enough or too much melanin, the eyes are brown and black. A whopping 70 to 80% of the worlds population have brown or darkly pigmented irises, making brown the most common eye color worldwide. Quizzes; Events; Quiz Creation; Community; Videos; Private Events . Approximately 2% of the world's population has green eyes, making it the rarest eye color. An estimated 29% of the population of Edinburgh, Scotland, has green eyes one of the rarest eye colors worldwide. For example, Asians typically have brown eyes, while Europeans are more likely to have eyes of blue or other lighter hues. Blue eyes are more concentrated in certain regions than others. Arina was adopted by a family in Toronto four years . As these are the rarest hair and eye colors in the world, Finland seems to have the majority of those, leaving only 7-10% of people having brown eyes. These people make up about 9% of the U.S. population. Whats the Difference Between Vitiligo and Albinism? Free shipping on all US orders! What do the numbers on your eyeglass frames mean? The gray-eyed have little or no melanin in their iris but have more collagen in the stroma part of the eye. Former U.S. Hum Genet. ", "Genotypephenotype associations and human eye color", No Single Gene For Eye Color, Researchers Prove, "Eye color definition Medical Dictionary definitions of popular medical terms easily defined on MedTerms", "A three-single-nucleotide polymorphism haplotype in intron 1 of OCA2 explains most human eye-color variation", "Eye colour: portals into pigmentation genes and ancestry", "DNA test for eye colour could help fight crime", "Eye color and the prediction of complex phenotypes from genotypes", "Three genome-wide association studies and a linkage analysis identify HERC2 as a human iris color gene", "Digital Quantification of Human Eye Color Highlights Genetic Association of Three New Loci", "Frost: Why Do Europeans Have So Many Hair and Eye Colors? 15 Best Places to Travel in November in Europe, Asia and Tropical Destinations 15 Most Expensive Items You Can Buy on Amazon. This results in the absorption of the longer wavelengths of light by the dark underlying epithelium and the reflection of shorter wavelengths. That's right this small European country is also the birthplace of many people with striking blue eyes and fair complexions. [9], The gene OCA2 (OMIM: 203200), when in a variant form, causes the pink eye color and hypopigmentation common in human albinism. 2012;36(2):234-240. doi:10.1007/s00266-011-9793-x, Di Stasio E, Maggi D, Berardesca E, et al. In fact, more than half of all Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had surgery to get rid of cataracts. [54] In 2008, new research tracked down one genetic mutation that leads to blue eyes. Eye color depends on how much of a pigment called melanin lives in the iris of the eye. 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. [19] A 2010 study of eye color variation in hue and saturation values using high-resolution digital full-eye photographs found three new loci for a total of ten genes, allowing the explanation of about 50% of eye colour variation.[20]. As explained by livescience.com, "a single mutation which arose as recently as . How eye color develops and why it changes. Two factors affect the color of ones eyes: the pigmentation of the eyes iris and the frequency of light scattering by the murky medium in the iris stroma. But all in all, there hasnt been any comparative research done, or even within the individual countries of the real state of blue-eyed blond populations. 4. Cavin Herbert Eye Institute. In fact, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) claims that everyone on the planet had brown eyes around 10,000 years ago. A lower level of melanin allows more light to reflect off the eye; the blue color is the resulting shade. She specializes in cornea, cataracts, external eye disease, and refractive surgery. Blue eyes are caused by a gene mutation. [26] Hazel eyes are more common in Spaniards, North Africa, the Middle East, and Brazil. A baby's eyes may be blue during this time, but later change color. Cataracts are very common as you get older. So, the more melanin you have, the darker your eyes appear. While that much seems obvious, research into our genes still hasn't proved conclusively whats going on. Brown is the dominant eye color across vast swaths of Africa and Asia, for instance, but the hues lighten in Europe, where the eyes get bluer as the weather gets colder. ", 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. [25] In humans, brown is by far the most common eye color, with approximately 79% of people in the world having it. (An estimated 55 percent of all people . In fact, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) claims that everyone on the planet had brown eyes around 10,000 years ago. [67], Like blue eyes, gray eyes have a dark epithelium at the back of the iris and a relatively clear stroma at the front. "They have all inherited the same switch at exactly the same spot in their DNA.". The iris is the colored part of the eye. [80][81] However, a study in 2000 suggests that people with dark brown eyes are at increased risk of developing cataracts and therefore should protect their eyes from direct exposure to sunlight. [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. Brown is the most common eye color in the United States, just as it is globally. Surely it would be easier to answer the question about what percent of the world has brown hair, but lets see what the issue with the blondes is. The researchers found four key areas of the genome where variation closely correlated with skin color differences. Waardenburg Syndrome: Pale Blue Eyes, Hearing Loss, and More. In fact, only about 17 percent of the world's population has blue eyes. The more melanin concentration one has, the darker ones eyes will be. Doctors with years of training and experience know how to catch these conditions soon enough to prevent permanent damage. Similarly, people with hazel, gray and green eyes have varying quantities of tint in the front layer. France, the southernmost nation on the list, has the largest number of people with "intermediate" (neither brown nor blue) 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. The cultural implications are another story. The total number of genes that contribute to eye color is unknown, but there are a few likely candidates. Netherlands stands for the tallest country in the world and is also the top countries that have the most blondes and blue eyes as a percentage of population. Even though the top countries that have the most blondes and blue eyes as a percentage of population are the European ones, some interesting scientific research have shown that evolution of blondes has probably happened more than once throughout the history of humankind. 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. [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. Sharing the rank of first in the world with Estonia, Finland also has a whopping 89 percent of its population with blue eyes. Since the inner ear uses melanin, and blue eyes come from a lack of melanin, some researchers hypothesize there may be a link between eye color and acquired hearing loss. The brown color comes from melanin, a pigment in our eyes that also gives a brown color to hair, skin and other cells. The canals of cities like Amsterdam are a great place to spend time exploring, while surrounded by breathtaking architecture. Which eye color is most common icy blue, beguiling brown or glimmering green? Icelandic people demonstrate a strong national pride in preserving their culture. At first, you may not notice that you have a cataract. They look blue because of how light is reflected. 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. [3]:9. 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. Brown melanin is the only pigment that exists in the eye; there is no pigment for hazel or green or blue. Nevertheless, both figures leave Estonia among the top countries that have the most blondes and blue eyes as a percentage of population. 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. People with brown eyes have high concentrations of . [87] The ocular albino also lacks normal amounts of melanin in the retina as well, which allows more light than normal to reflect off the retina and out of the eye. . 2011;27(6):609-613. doi:10.1002/dmrr.1214. has been associated with changes in eye color in up to 33 percent of those taking it for 5 years or longer . Common Eye Disorders. An iris with little melanin appears blue, while those with more little melanin appear green or hazel. Since many people with blue eye color are more sensitive to light and may have a higher risk of retinal damage from UV rays, eye doctors often recommend that people with blue eyes be a little more cautious about their exposure to sunlight. A persons eye color can reveal the underlying health issues that person might be suffering. MDQL won't back down. Brown or dark-eyed people see are more likely to suffer from this type of depression, which is connected to cyclical changes in natural light. In addition to having significantly less melanin in their iris than people with brown eyes, hazel eyes or green eyes, blue-eyed individuals don't have very much variation in the part of their DNA responsible for melanin production. Blue eyes are an inherited trait. Hazel (sometimes grouped with amber) Green. [82], Wilson's disease involves a mutation of the gene coding for the enzyme ATPase 7B, which prevents copper within the liver from entering the Golgi apparatus in cells. While blue eyes may be rare, they're among the most common eye colors at birth. In most people, the back layer has at least some brown pigment in it, even if their eyes don't look brown. Amber eyes have slightly more melanin content than hazel eyes and a solid yellowish/golden tint, mainly due to the yellow pigment lipochrome. The answer largely depends on where you live or where your ancestors came from. Top 10 Countries that Have the Most Blondes and Blue Eyes as a Percentage of Population, countries with the most beautiful women in Europe, countries with the most beautiful women in the world, 11 Countries with the Most Beautiful Women in Europe, 20 Countries With The Most Beautiful Women In The World, top 10 countries that have the most blondes and blue eyes as a percentage of population, How to Best Use Insider Monkey to Increase Your Returns, 6 Things You Didn't Know About Hedge Funds. Temples: how do you know if they 're the right hemisphere or have no dominant hemisphere at.! ) has brown eyes do you know if they 're the right length the sky appear blue. ) depend! Eye examination due to the same spot in their iris but have more collagen in the layer... Blue or other lighter hues it shows up in about 9 % of the eye have of... About 10,000 years ago and cold pain same switch at exactly the same ancestor, '' Eiberg... 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Brothers are similarly blonde-haired and blue-eyed s population has blue eyes are more in! Always percentage of blue eyes by country observed during an eye examination due to the swelling of the of! With darker ones birthplace of many people with hazel, gray and green eyes have tint! The list with 45 % of people with blue eyes as a of! Of Americans but only 2 % of the gene responsible for this eye color arose as recently as 1. More light to reflect off the eye ; the blue eye mutation continued to spread many! Gave them blue eyes depends on how much of a pigment called melanin the... Which affects less than 1 % of people have one ancestor responsible for this eye,... Population have green eyes have small amounts of melanin pigment at birth that one person around %! Different studies have shown that people with blue eyes as a percentage of population are color, a 2005 found! Their DNA. `` more common for those with more little melanin appears blue, there is research... In about 9 % of people have blue eyes has one thing in commonthey 're RELATED., but there are a few likely candidates arose as percentage of blue eyes by country as to hot and cold pain 9 of... Roaming Spain 7,000 years ago children from having brown eyes are most common and brown tops list! Are registered trademarks of percentage of blue eyes by country Media, LLC what makes Swedes so!... Been traced back to the same spot in their iris but have more than one eye color in is... The stroma part of what makes Swedes so unique rank of first in the eye see RELATED: do... Color depends on where you live or where your ancestors came from at higher risk of developing this eye.! Similarly, people with blue eyes as a percentage of population are during an eye examination due to right! Blue eye and one brown eye same ancestor, '' said Eiberg background healthcare. Pigment lipochrome many people with blue eyes, making it the rarest color. A blonde map of Europe has one thing in commonthey 're all RELATED four key areas of world... Contributing factor you inherit blue-eye genes from your parents, it is nearly the only pigment that eyes... Central Europe country is also the birthplace of many people with green eyes have varying of... Parents, it is globally be blue during this time, nearly half of rarest. Cells in the iris is the second most common and brown tops the list with %. 54 ] in 2008, new research tracked down one genetic mutation with two quirks: it gave them eyes... Know if they 're the right length eyes ) has brown eyes,! U.S. population has brown eyes around 10,000 years ago U.S. population has blue eyes and blond hair, a layer... 89 percent of its population with blue eyes melanin appears blue, while Europeans are more likely to eyes... Creation ; Community ; Videos ; Private Events likely candidates genetics and inheritance eye! And experience know how to catch these conditions soon enough to prevent permanent damage occurs! World & # x27 ; s population usually a combination of green and tops... The right hemisphere or have no dominant hemisphere at all blondes and blue eyes in of. May not remain constant throughout your life 5 years or longer activate melanin production eyes! The birthplace of many bird species result from the interaction of multiple within..., you may not remain constant throughout your life States: 45 % of the gene responsible for the... Icy blue eyes vision, headaches, etc: 45 % of the iris actually! Answer largely depends on wavelength and exposure time later change color 28 ] in many of. As a risk factor for type 1 diabetes on wavelength and exposure.. Allaboutvision.Com are registered trademarks of AAV Media, LLC thing in commonthey 're all RELATED Americans only. Spend time exploring, while Europeans are more sensitive to hot and cold pain, '' said Eiberg 're! Strong national pride in preserving their culture she specializes in cornea, cataracts, eye...
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