They studied the genes that coded blue eyes in all of these individuals. If you've got blue eyes, you've got one of the rarest, but most coveted recessive genes in the world. In 2016, scientists found that our pale skin complexion is inherited from just one man who lived thousands of years ago. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com. Give Orange. Free shipping on all US orders! [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. If you have ever been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of someone with stunning blue eyes, then congratulations, you are seeing one of nature's rarest wonders! This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 15:18. Also, hazel eyes may appear to shift in color and consist of flecks and ripples, while amber eyes are of a solid gold hue. 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. How eye color develops and why it changes. Blue eyes have been common across Europe since prehistoric times. Your pupil is the small black opening in the center. - VeryWell Health, Interesting Facts about Eye Color - Heffingtons, The World's Population By Eye Color - World Atlas. 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. 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). From 6-36 months, cells in the iris start producing melanin and the eye color will change. [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]. They are also part of what makes Swedes so unique! Sitting sixth on this list, Denmark 's population is 60 percent blue-eyed. "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.". Are contact lenses a good choice for kids? Most eye color changes have been observed or reported in the Caucasian population with hazel and amber eyes. There is no blue pigmentation either in the iris or in the vitreous body. SEE RELATED: How color contact lenses can make anyone's eyes blue. This damage will cause your vision to become blurrier and more distorteda condition called macular degeneration. Light brown eye color is most common in Europe, West Asia, and the Americas. 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. Blue eyes are an inherited trait. Age-Related Macular Degeneration. There are various causes of Anisocoria: head trauma, brain tumors, migraines, demyelinating diseases, medications with anticholinergic properties, etc. Close to 3% of people in the world have gray eyes. Plus, although this cancer is extremely rare, light-eyed folks are also more susceptible to sun damage from exposure to UV rays. Occasionally, heterochromia can be a sign of a serious medical condition. 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! Priscilla Vu, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist. More than 80 percent of the inhabitants of Estonia and Scandinavian countries have blue eyes. For just about everyone, the back layer of each eye is brown. Bookmark Quiz Bookmark Quiz Bookmark. Some people with severe albinism appear to have red eyes under certain lighting conditions. About half of people living in the U.S. and a higher population in Africa, and Asia are brown-eyed. "They have all inherited the same switch at exactly the same spot in their DNA.". Norway. So, there's less worry of a vitamin D deficiency for redheads. Image credit: Aleksandar Mijatovic via Shutterstock. Believed to be the result of a genetic mutation, blue eyes originated from a single ancestor thousands of years ago. Inflammation, infections, tumors and other ailments can afflict the iris. 2012;131(5):683-96. doi:10.1007/s00439-011-1110-x. This color transition can take anywhere from a few months to three years to run its course. [29] Brown eyes are common in Europe, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, West Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Americas. As of 2010[update], as many as 16 genes have been associated with eye color inheritance. People with blue eyes may need to be extra diligent when it comes to protecting themselves from harmful UV rays and blue light. Brown eyes: Estimates show that 70%-80% of the worlds population have brown eyes. The collagen is scatted by light to make the eyes look gray. [85] A blue coloration of the sclera may also be symptomatic of disease. Some speculate that this change in environment was a contributing factor. For years, researchers had searched for it on the OCA2 gene. 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? What Is the Origin of Blue Eyes in Black People? Brown is the most common eye color in the United States, just as it is globally. A persons eye color can reveal the underlying health issues that person might be suffering. "Originally, we all had brown eyes" said Eiberg. [101], As the perception of color depends on viewing conditions (e.g., the amount and kind of illumination, as well as the hue of the surrounding environment), so does the perception of eye color. [12] A specific mutation within the HERC2 gene, a gene that regulates OCA2 expression, is partly responsible for blue eyes. 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. A global view of the OCA2-HERC2 region and pigmentation. [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. [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. It is important to always wear sunglasses and eyeglasses whenever possible - especially when spending time outdoors or staring at screens for long periods of time. It's completely normal to see blue become brown, hazel, or even green as they get a little older. 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. But lets not get things too scientific at this point. Brown melanin is the only pigment that exists in the eye; there is no pigment for hazel or green or blue. The answer largely depends on where you live or where your ancestors came from. [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]. 15 Best Places to Travel in November in Europe, Asia and Tropical Destinations 15 Most Expensive Items You Can Buy on Amazon. Germans are only slightly more likely to have blue eyes than intermediate (hazel, green, etc.) "Originally, we all had brown eyes," said Hans Eiberg, associate professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the university. The researchers found four key areas of the genome where variation closely correlated with skin color differences. A study in Rotterdam (2009) found that it was possible to predict eye color with more than 90% accuracy for brown and blue using just six SNPs. Have you ever wondered which the top countries that have the most blondes and blue eyes as a percentage of population are? 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. Estonia is the country most known for its fair-skinned, blue-eyed population, followed closely by Finland. If you have dark brown hair and brown eyes, you have something in common with most people around the globe. Originally, all human eyes were brown. Blue eyes as a risk factor for type 1 diabetes. 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. Denmark - Approximately 60%. An estimated 89 percent of Estonians have blue eyes. A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye (the clear part of the eye that helps to focus light). [95] Classification systems have ranged from a basic light or dark description to detailed gradings employing photographic standards for comparison. initiative combines industry-leading health and safety standards with virtual technologies designed to keep real estate moving forward, and give our employees, customers and partners confidence and support to stay safe. Blue eyes are more concentrated in certain regions than others. A small numer of people have eyes of an even rarer color, such as violet or red, or display heterochromia, a condition in which a person's eyes are two different colors. A lower level of melanin allows more light to reflect off the eye; the blue color is the resulting shade. Eye color is partially affected by light, especially blue eyes, which get their color specifically by light entering and reflecting out of the eye. Protecting your eyes and getting regular check ups is important no matter the color of your irises. 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. Hazel (sometimes grouped with amber) Green. In addition to genetics, the anatomic structure of the iris can also affect eye color to some degree. This anomaly, which film producers thought would be disturbing to film audiences, was "corrected" by having Van Cleef wear brown contact lenses. This one person with a genetic mutation had children, and the trait was passed to the next generation. Cavin Herbert Eye Institute. The Greek goddess Athene appears with gray eyes (). 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. Adult eye color is usually established between 3 and 6 months of age, though this can be later. At the same time, nearly half of the U.S. population has brown eyes. About 5% of the worlds population have hazel eyes. Symptoms include dry, irritated eyes and blurred vision. As that generation had children and moved around, the blue eye mutation continued to spread across many parts of the globe. 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. Green eyes: The most attractive eye color? But about 30 percent of left-handed folks are either partial to the right hemisphere or have no dominant hemisphere at all. Although rare, green eyes are found to be rather catchy especially . In those with milder forms of albinism, the color of the iris is typically blue but can vary from blue to brown. [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. Non-brown eyes have no different color pigments. Boys are 3 percent to 5 percent likelier to have blue eyes than girls, but beyond that it's a non-issue -- physiologically speaking. Because of this, the pupillary reflex is much more pronounced in albino individuals, and this can emphasize the red eye effect in photographs. In fact, over 80 percent of the inhabitants of Estonia . Symptoms of uveitis include burning and redness of the eyes, blurred vision, headaches, etc. Read our. First, one can have blue eyes as a result of a genetic mutation. That's right this small European country is also the birthplace of many people with striking blue eyes and fair complexions. 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. If you have a darker iris color, you are at a greater risk of developing this eye disease. But also some genetic researches have shown that Danish Vikings were more red-haired than Swedish Vikings for example who were mainly blond. [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. The majority of the worlds population has brown eyes, about 70-80%. 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. If you have blue eyes it does not mean that your iris is actually colored blue. Because melanocyte cells continually produce pigment, in theory eye color can be changed. Blue is the second most common eye color globally, with estimates suggesting that 8-10% of people have blue eyes. All About Vision does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. MedlinePlus. Researchers at the American Academy of Opthalmology have stated that everyone on planet earth had brown eyes around 10,000 years ago. Two percent of humans worldwide have blond hair; and 5 percent of whites in the U.S., according to the researchers. The North American brothers are similarly blonde-haired and blue-eyed. It shows that in most of Scotland and Ireland, as well as a random patch in central Russia, 10% of people are of the ginger genre. They look blue because of how light is reflected. 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. [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. [47][48] In Scotland, 29% of people have green eyes. Eye color may not remain constant throughout your life. An article released Monday in the peer-reviewed . Amber is the third rarest eye color in the world after green and gray, and approximately 5% of the worlds population have amber eyes. [27] Green eyes contain the yellowish pigment lipochrome.[52]. Blue eyes with a brown spot, green eyes, and gray eyes are caused by an entirely different part of the genome. "Blue eyes are seen as powerful. 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. In most people, the back layer has at least some brown pigment in it, even if their eyes don't look brown. 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. Blue eyes are an inherited trait. They lower your risk of developing cataracts, for instance. All About Vision does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. [50] Among European Americans, green eyes are most common among those of recent Celtic and Germanic ancestry with about 16%. Eye color depends on how much of a pigment called melanin lives in the iris of the eye. Can you name the countries with the highest percentage of their populations having blue eyes and blond hair? Research has found that eye color may play a role in various areas of health and well-being. In European countries, blue eyes and other lighter eye colors tend to prevail, though youll still commonly find brown eyes everywhere. The iris is made up of two layers of muscle and other kinds of cells. [26] Hazel eyes are more common in Spaniards, North Africa, the Middle East, and Brazil. Their numbers: The stats for the United States shake out a bit differently. Around 70% to 80% of the people also have blue eyes. In other words, it's impossible to know for sure if your children will have blue eyes or any other color. 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. Light or medium-pigmented brown eyes can also be commonly found in South Europe, among the Americas, and parts of Central Asia, West Asia and South Asia. 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. 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. People with blue eyes need to be careful about exposure to bright sunlight. [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. [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. [102], "Iris color" redirects here. 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. Iceland, the northernmost country of the bunch, has the greatest percentage of people with blue eyes. The number of cylindrical cells is more than the number of color receptors and reaches about 120 million; cone cells, which are smaller in number than light receptors, have color vision and are divided into three distinct categories, each of which recognizes one of the colors blue, red, and green, allowing the individual to distinguish colors. Effortless urban style, with expert craftsmanship - clothing, shoes & apparel for men & women from rag & bone. This means everyone with blue eyes has one thing in commonthey're all related. Which eye color is most common icy blue, beguiling brown or glimmering green? 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]. Without question, brown eyes dominate globally, with an estimated 70-79% of the worlds population having eyes in shades of brown ranging from light golden brown to very dark brown and everything in between. The melanin in brown eyes helps protect against intense sunlight exposure, so it would not be necessary for areas where there is not much light year-round. Theres still a lot of speculation about why Europeans generally have lighter eyes (and lighter skin and hair). Genetic research suggests that until about 10,000 years ago, pretty much everyone had brown eyes. Find an eyecare professional and book online in minutes! Eyeglass temples: How do you know if they're the right length? Click to read the article and view the infographic. Hazel eyes: What determines hazel eye color. Nevertheless, both figures leave Estonia among the top countries that have the most blondes and blue eyes as a percentage of population. Contact an eye doctor if you need medical attention. [88] This uncommon condition usually results due to uneven melanin content. Red Hair Is Thicker. 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. 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. In theory, blue eyes may have protected a person from acquiring vision disorders caused by these periods. As in all Scandinavian countries, and being at the top of those, most common eye color is blue and most usual hair is blond. This is an ongoing area of research, but an important connection to keep in mind. . Aesth Plast Surg. Contact an eye doctor if you need medical attention. Blue eyes and blond hair (as well as all others for that matter) are the results of genetic variations. [77], As a result of heterochromia iridum, it is also possible to have two different eye colors. When a portion of one iris is a different color from its remaining part, it is sectoral Heterochromia. Hazel eyes are most common in the Middle East, North Africa, Brazil, and people of Spanish heritage. Dissection reveals that the iris pigment epithelium is brownish black due to the presence of melanin. European Americans with recent Celtic and Germanic ancestry account for 16% of people with green eyes. Brown is the most common eye colour. Between 6,000 and 10,000 years ago, a baby was born in Europe with a harmless genetic mutation. Blue eyes have small amounts of melanin while brown eyes are rich in melanin. [54] In 2008, new research tracked down one genetic mutation that leads to blue eyes. There are many other possible reasons for having two different-colored eyes. 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 . 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. Sharing the rank of first in the world with Estonia, Finland also has a whopping 89 percent of its population with blue eyes. Iceland, the northernmost country of the bunch, has the greatest percentage of people with blue eyes. [33] In humans, yellowish specks or patches are thought to be due to the pigment lipofuscin, also known as lipochrome. Below is a list of the top six countries with the most blue-eyed people. 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. In Finland, apart from native Finns, there are Sami people (living in the north of the country in Lapland), which have a greater percentage of dark hair and eye color. About half as many Americans have blue eyes as brown eyes. [46], Green eyes are most common in Northern, Western and Central Europe. [13][14] These genes are sought by studying small changes in the genes themselves and in neighboring genes, called single-nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs. How older drivers can improve their driving at night, researchers at the University of Copenhagen, Schedule an appointment with a local eye doctor, How color contact lenses can make anyone's eyes blue. The amount of melanin, or pigment, a person has in their iris determines their eye color. Which country has the most people with blue 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 . . The human eye consists of two types of light and color receptors in the retina. [37][39][42][44], Around 18% of the US population and 5% of the world population have hazel eyes. Globally, only about eight to 10 percent of people have this eye color with Europe containing the large majority. 2000-2023 AAV Media, LLC. 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. While it's a very rare type of cancer, people with blue eyes are at higher risk of developing ocular uveal melanoma. Persons with albinism have very little or no melanin in the iris. So if you ever wondered why and how rare is blonde hairand blue eyes, you got a part of the answer here. 3. 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