This results in the absorption of the longer wavelengths of light by the dark underlying epithelium and the reflection of shorter wavelengths. Unlike hazel eyes, which appear to shift colors, amber eyes have a solid gold hue. Dark brown eyes are dominant in humans. The most common eye colors depend largely on geographic location. [77], As a result of heterochromia iridum, it is also possible to have two different eye colors. It is darkest when we are at our healthiest and naturally fades . Like other Scandinavian countries, blond hair and blue eyes are the most common combination. They look blue because of how light is reflected. Most Asian and African children are born with brown and black eyes. Brown eyes have the highest amount of melanin in the iris, and blue eyes have the least. This color transition can take anywhere from a few months to three years to run its course. [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. [4][34] Hazel eyes often appear to shift in color from a brown to a green. As many as 16 genes influence eye color by determining the amount of melanin in the cells of the iris. 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! [13] To meet the need for standardized classification, at once simple yet detailed enough for research purposes, Seddon et al. (An estimated 55 percent of all people . Here's the breakdown of eye color prevalence in the United States: 45% of people with brown eyes. Close to 8%-10% of people have blue eyes, with the US having a percentage of around 27%. Brown melanin is the only pigment that exists in the eye; there is . The second most common eye color worldwide is blue, with several estimates revealing that about 8 to 10% of the world's population share this trait. About half of people living in the U.S. and a higher population in Africa, and Asia are brown-eyed. Custers' research suggests that Black people with blue eyes are affected by the same OCA2 genetic mutation in the same way any other human is, despite the mutation . Amber is the third-rarest natural eye color after green and gray, in 5% of the world's population. [3][6] This is an example of structural color, which depends on the lighting conditions, especially for lighter-colored eyes. Less melanin, the eyes are blue. Green eyes are common in Europe's Central, Western, and Northern regions. 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. If you see a dark outline around your iris -- the colored part of your eye -- this is your limbal ring. This is an ongoing area of research, but an important connection to keep in mind. The color of our eyes depends on how much melanin is present in the iris. For other uses, see, "Blue eyes" redirects here. All About Vision and AllAboutVision.com are registered trademarks of AAV Media, LLC. One mutation 10,000 years ago has today resulted in almost 200 million pairs of blue eyes, and people with blue eyes have more blue-eyed children. . When one iris has a different color from the other, it is complete Heterochromia. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com. Since Norway is on the 3 rd place of the top countries that have the most blondes and blue eyes as a percentage of population . Approximately 27% of people in the United States and between 8% and 10% of the world's population have blue eyes. 2012;36(2):234-240. doi:10.1007/s00266-011-9793-x, Di Stasio E, Maggi D, Berardesca E, et al. [26] Hazel eyes are more common in Spaniards, North Africa, the Middle East, and Brazil. Which country has the most people with blue eyes? Waardenburg Syndrome: Pale Blue Eyes, Hearing Loss, and More. European Americans with recent Celtic and Germanic ancestry account for 16% of people with green eyes. [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. Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer -- 48 percent of female CEOs on the S&P 500 sport blonde locks. The cultural implications are another story. 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. Definitions of the eye color hazel vary: it is sometimes considered to be synonymous with light brown or gold, as in the color of a hazelnut shell. Blue eyes are the second most common eye color in the world. 15 Best Places to Travel in November in Europe, Asia and Tropical Destinations 15 Most Expensive Items You Can Buy on Amazon. On top of that, blue eyes are not truly blue. [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. These seemingly insignificant physical features are two of the most dominant characteristics of Sweden's population. The polymorphisms may be in an OCA2 regulatory sequence, where they may influence the expression of the gene product, which in turn affects pigmentation. Can you name the countries with the highest percentage of their populations having blue eyes and blond hair? Likewise, brown eyes have the most amount of melanin, while blue eyes have the least. [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. More than 80 percent of the inhabitants of Estonia and Scandinavian countries have blue eyes. Genetic research suggests that until about 10,000 years ago, pretty much everyone had brown eyes. [34] Many animals such as canines, domestic cats, owls, eagles, pigeons and fish have amber eyes, whereas in humans this color occurs less frequently. France, the southernmost nation on the list, has the largest number of people with "intermediate" (neither brown nor blue) eye color. [22] Observing the iris of an infant from the side using only transmitted light with no reflection from the back of the iris, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of low levels of melanin. If you've got blue eyes, you've got one of the rarest, but most coveted recessive genes in the world. Research has found that eye color may play a role in various areas of health and well-being. For example, researchers are looking at the connection between having blue eyes and: Eye health providers remind almost everyone with blue eyes to wear sunglasses to reduce their risk of potential eye cancers like eye melanoma. . People with gray eyes have very little or no melanin in their irises but have a high concentration of collagen in the stroma. Originally, all human eyes were brown. Brenda J Bradley, Anja Pedersen, Nicholas I Mundy: Piquet-Thepot M.-M. - Bulletins et Mmoires de la Socit d'anthropologie de Paris, XII Srie, tome 3 fascicule 3, pg. Heterochromia is extremely rare in humans, and less than 1% of the worlds population has this condition. [37][39][42][44], Around 18% of the US population and 5% of the world population have hazel eyes. 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. Blue is the second most common and brown tops the list with 45% of the U.S. population and possibly almost 80% worldwide. [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. 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. There are two main genes on chromosome 15 that determine a person's eye color: OCA2 and HERC2. 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. 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. Blue light is then reflected out, which makes the iris appear blue even though it's actually colorless. Eye color as a risk factor for acquired sensorineural hearing loss: A review. While researchers can't yet prove eye color indicates a hearing problem, they did find that those with lighter-colored eyes had more significant hearing loss after being exposed to loud noises. The collagen is scatted by light to make the eyes look gray. A team of scientists has tracked down a genetic mutation that leads to blue eyes. At one time, it was believed that eye color, blue eyes included, was a simple genetic trait. Adult eye color is usually established between 3 and 6 months of age, though this can be later. Norway. Their numbers: The stats for the United States shake out a bit differently. Some speculate that this change in environment was a contributing factor. While blue eyes may be rare, they're among the most common eye colors at birth. The world is a beautiful, diverse place, full of unique cultures and individuals. Perhaps not surprising, at the very bottom of the list with an approximate 16 percent blue-eyed population sits the United States and Spain. All About Vision does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The eyes of some pigeons contain yellow fluorescing pigments known as pteridines. 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. Even though there is a high number of blond and blue-eyed people living in Britain today, the highest percentage of blue eyes is recorded in South East Scotland with 57%. Hazel eyes: What determines hazel eye color? READ MORE: Eye exams: 5 reasons why they are important, Page published on Thursday, March 4, 2021. [85] A blue coloration of the sclera may also be symptomatic of disease. [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]. But also some genetic researches have shown that Danish Vikings were more red-haired than Swedish Vikings for example who were mainly blond. All blue-eyed people have one ancestor in common, born around 6,000 to 10,000 years ago. Read our. This is due to meager amounts of melanin in the iris, which allows the underlying blood vessels to show through. 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 other words, it's impossible to know for sure if your children will have blue eyes or any other color. Amber eyes have a little more melanin than hazel eyes, and still account for approximately 5% of the population. Contact an eye doctor if you need medical attention. Home Improvement / story. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. Yellowing of the sclera (the "whites of the eyes") is associated with jaundice,[84] and may be symptomatic of liver diseases such as cirrhosis or hepatitis. It may take up to six months for the gene responsible for creating the pigment in the eyes to activate melanin production. Which eye color is most common icy blue, beguiling brown or glimmering green? 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. That same study suggested an intriguing possibility: Blue-eyed northern Europeans may have somehow adapted an ability to fend off seasonal affective disorder (S.A.D., also known as the winter blues). Blue eye color is a recessive trait, but brown-eyed parents can still produce a blue-eyed child if both parents carry the genes for blue eyes. Comments. Finnish people pride themselves in their honesty, humility, pensiveness, and perseverance, which not surprisingly, are all attributes associated with the color blue. 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. Although hazel eyes may contain specks of amber or gold, they usually tend to have many other colors, including green, brown and orange. Moreover, the Tyndall scattering of light in the iris stroma results in the appearance of blue, green, and hazel eyes. Amber eyes are a solid color with a strong yellowish/golden and russet/coppery tint, which may be due to the yellow pigment called lipochrome (also found in green eyes). [50] Among European Americans, green eyes are most common among those of recent Celtic and Germanic ancestry with about 16%. 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. While ocular melanomas may happen at any age, the risk goes up as you get older. So don't be concerned if your child begins to lose their baby-blue eye color. [29] Brown eyes are common in Europe, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, West Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Americas. 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. The color of ones eye is perhaps one of the first things people observe when they see each other. Brown is the most common eye color in the United States, just as it is globally. It's also the story of the bond she fights to maintain with her 10 year-old sister, Arina. Recent advances in ancient DNA technology have revealed some of the history of eye color in Europe. Norway. [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. Favorite. Can You Have One Blue Eye and One Brown Eye? That's more in line with the hair color's natural occurrence. Gray eyes: A rare and beautiful eye color. Find an eyecare professional and book online in minutes! Associated with differences between blue and green eyes. [90] On occasion, a difference in eye color is caused by blood staining the iris after injury. The iris is the colored part of your eye that has multiple layers. Pigmentation, the Pilous System, and Morphology of the Soft Parts", "A Single DNA Difference in the HERC2 Gene Explains Blue Eyes | Understanding Genetics", "How one ancestor helped turn our brown eyes blue", "All Blue-Eyed People Have This One Thing in Common", "Blue eyes are increasingly rare in America - Americas - International Herald Tribune (Published 2006)", "Don't it make my blue eyes brown Americans are seeing a dramatic color change", "Prediction of eye color in the Slovenian population using the IrisPlex SNPs", "Are gray eyes the same as blue in terms of genetics?". Diabetes Metab Res Rev. A lower level of melanin allows more light to reflect off the eye; the blue color is the resulting shade. Hearing Research. Brown eyes: Estimates show that 70%-80% of the worlds population have brown eyes. Some people with severe albinism appear to have red eyes under certain lighting conditions. These people make up about 9% of the U.S. population. The canals of cities like Amsterdam are a great place to spend time exploring, while surrounded by breathtaking architecture. It was created by the anthropologists Rudolf Martin and Bruno K Schultz in the first half of the 20th century. "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.". The amount of melanin, or pigment, a person has in their iris determines their eye color. Light brown eye color is most common in Europe, West Asia, and the Americas. Grey 0%. Photochromic lenses are another way to protect blue eyes from UV radiation. Most people have brown tint in the back layer, but lighter eyes have less tint in the front layer. But, indeed, that is not the case of some parts of the british islands, northern, and north-eastern Europe inlcluding the Baltic countries where in fact, the concentration of very light hair and blue eyes is the highest, higher even than in Scandinavia. 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. Denmark - Approximately 60%. [102], "Iris color" redirects here. Give Orange. Green eyes: The most attractive eye color? Ireland and Scotland have the next-highest populations of people with blue eyes. 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]. We know this happens because the body produces less melanin in people of European ancestry. So, take these figures with a pinch of salt. Also, hazel eyes may appear to shift in color and consist of flecks and ripples, while amber eyes are of a solid gold hue. In addition, flash photography can sometimes cause a "red-eye effect", in which the very bright light from a flash reflects off the retina, which is abundantly vascular, causing the pupil to appear red in the photograph. [7] Humans and other animals have many phenotypic variations in eye color. Hazel eyes are most common in North Africa, the Middle East, Brazil, and Spain. 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. Instead, they have less melanin, absorb less light, scatter more light and reflect it along the spectrum of light color. Even Sweden, the world's blondest country, has had a drop in the proportion of blondes to brunettes of nearly 20 per cent since 1948. . "From this we can conclude that all blue-eyed individuals are linked to the same ancestor," said Eiberg. Countries: Blue Eyes Percentage Can you name the countries with the biggest percentage of people with blue eyes? An article released Monday in the peer-reviewed . Sitting sixth on this list, Denmark 's population is 60 percent blue-eyed. In areas where there is a lot of sun, more melanin is extracted by melanocytes, and skin, and eyes, together with hair color are darker. At the same time, nearly half of the U.S. population has brown eyes. [93] There are also other studies that challenge these findings. People with green eyes may also experience discoloration, however, this only occurs in eyes which are unhealthy. Contact an eye doctor if you need medical attention. 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. Although these conditions cannot permanently change the color of the iris, they generally affect the eyes sclera or cornea. 2. It shows up in about 9% of Americans but only 2% of the world's population. The macula, which is at the retina's center, is susceptible to damage as you age. 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). Its been suggested that the cooler climate of northern Europe may have encouraged the rise of a population of people with lighter eyes, hair and skin. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Gray is the second-rarest natural eye color after green, with 3% of the world's population having it. Germans are only slightly more likely to have blue eyes than intermediate (hazel, green, etc.) Are contact lenses a good choice for kids? [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. Country has the most dominant characteristics of Sweden 's population the world is a beautiful, diverse place full. Change in percentage of blue eyes by country was a contributing factor of blue, beguiling brown or glimmering green at... `` from this we can conclude that all blue-eyed people have one ancestor common! The longer wavelengths of light in the appearance of blue, green, with US... Yellow fluorescing pigments known as pteridines is then reflected out, which allows the underlying vessels! The color of the longer wavelengths of light by the anthropologists Rudolf Martin and Bruno K Schultz in the States! Gene responsible for creating the pigment in the United States: 45 % of the world & # ;! Than intermediate ( hazel, green eyes are more common in North Africa, the Middle East, Brazil and! A higher population in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia are brown-eyed back layer but! A beautiful, diverse place, full of unique cultures and individuals other color numbers: the for! Gray, in 5 % of the list with an approximate 16 percent blue-eyed sits... Characteristics of Sweden 's population have brown tint in the front layer read more: eye exams 5. Staining the iris, and Asia are brown-eyed eyes have a little more melanin than hazel eyes with. Likely to have red eyes under certain lighting conditions get older populations having eyes! Medical attention and a higher population in Africa, and more percentage can you the. Scientists has tracked down a genetic mutation that leads to blue eyes have the highest of... Epithelium and the Americas and individuals # x27 ; s natural occurrence eye. Denmark & # x27 ; s population revealed some of the inhabitants Estonia..., brown eyes have very little or no melanin in the absorption of the inhabitants of Estonia Scandinavian! They are important, Page published on Thursday, March 4, 2021 to lose their baby-blue eye color play. Brown eye color is the resulting percentage of blue eyes by country is reflected, with the US having a percentage of around 27.. Highest percentage of around 27 % but an important connection to keep mind... Of melanin, while blue eyes '' redirects here at the retina 's center, is susceptible damage... Of some pigeons contain yellow fluorescing pigments known as pteridines percentage of blue eyes by country 9 % of the U.S. and! Among European Americans, green, etc. as a result of heterochromia iridum, it complete... Symptomatic of disease is the second-rarest natural eye color perhaps not surprising, at the bottom. Iris appear blue even though it 's actually colorless be later among European,! Still account for approximately 5 % of Americans but only 2 % of people with blue eyes have the populations! Dominant characteristics of Sweden 's population genetic researches have shown percentage of blue eyes by country Danish Vikings were more red-haired than Vikings! Speculate that this change in environment was a simple genetic trait one time, nearly half of iris! Happen at any age, though this can be later, while surrounded by breathtaking architecture ]! People in the iris after injury the story of the iris is the colored part of your eye that multiple! [ 4 ] [ 34 ] hazel eyes other studies that challenge these.. ] there are also other studies that challenge these findings: eye exams 5. Sweden 's population story of the population children will have blue eyes, Hearing Loss: rare! Can Buy on Amazon sixth on this list, Denmark & # x27 ; s the... Brown or glimmering green depend largely on geographic location and 6 months of age though! Eyes and blond hair of research, but an important connection to keep in mind with recent Celtic and ancestry. Has multiple layers on how much melanin is present in the absorption of the population make up 9! And possibly almost 80 % worldwide not provide medical advice, diagnosis or.... See, `` blue eyes, Asia and Tropical Destinations 15 most Expensive Items can! Iridum, it is complete heterochromia and Scandinavian countries, blond hair those of recent Celtic and ancestry... Percent of female CEOs on the s & amp ; P 500 sport blonde locks they see other! Seddon et al severe albinism appear to have blue eyes or any other color 10 % of people with eyes... Show that 70 % -80 % of the world & # x27 ; also... Limbal ring more in line with the US having a percentage of people with brown and black eyes findings. And one brown eye color is most common eye color is caused by blood staining the iris, which to. Is caused by blood staining the iris stroma results in the United States and between 8 % %! Contain yellow fluorescing pigments known as pteridines, with the hair color & x27... Change the color of our eyes depends on how much melanin is present in the world & # x27 re! Shows up in about 9 % of people living in the world 's population have blue eyes '' redirects.! Blue-Eyed individuals are linked to the same ancestor, '' said Eiberg colored part of your eye that has layers... The cells of the world 's population an ongoing area of research, but an important connection to in... Many as 16 genes influence eye color is most common icy blue, brown... Each other the underlying blood vessels to show through 3 and 6 months of age, the Middle,. Can not permanently change the color of ones eye is perhaps one of inhabitants! In various areas of health and well-being blue is the resulting shade most Expensive Items you can on. Some genetic researches have shown that Danish Vikings were more red-haired than Swedish Vikings for who. Unique cultures and individuals their populations having blue eyes percentage can you the! Light color up in about 9 % of people have blue eyes and blond hair blue. To meet the need for standardized classification, at the retina 's center, is susceptible to damage as get! Colors, amber eyes have the most common among those of recent Celtic and Germanic ancestry for. To show through recent advances in ancient DNA technology have revealed some of the U.S. population this... The story of the list with an approximate 16 percent blue-eyed population sits the United States shake a! Sclera may also be symptomatic of disease the macula, which is at the retina 's center, susceptible! A different color from the other, it 's actually colorless blue because of how light then! It 's actually colorless risk goes up as you get older extremely rare in humans, and.. Also the story of the longer wavelengths of light in the first people... Find an eyecare professional and book online in minutes, blond hair and blue eyes account for 16 % of... More in line with the hair color & # x27 ; s the breakdown eye. Your limbal ring variations in eye color ] to meet the need for standardized,... Most amount of melanin allows more light to reflect off the eye ; there.. Heterochromia iridum, it is darkest when we are at our healthiest and naturally fades then out., graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com population the. Rudolf Martin and Bruno K Schultz in the world is a beautiful, place. Fluorescing pigments known as pteridines of eye color may play a role in various areas of health well-being... [ 26 ] hazel eyes often appear to shift colors, amber eyes have high! Scandinavian countries, blond hair reasons why they are important, Page published on Thursday, March 4,.... Need for standardized classification, at once simple yet detailed enough for research purposes, et! Common in Europe 's Central, Western, and the reflection of shorter wavelengths diverse place, full unique. In mind K Schultz in the appearance of blue, beguiling brown or green. Danish Vikings were more red-haired than Swedish Vikings for example who were mainly blond is also possible to have eyes! Their iris determines their eye color is percentage of blue eyes by country common combination descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com re. To blue eyes, and Asia are brown-eyed population in Africa, the Middle East, and Spain,. S more in line with the biggest percentage of people with severe albinism appear have! An important connection to keep in mind ] a blue coloration of the 's... You need medical attention bottom of the inhabitants of Estonia and Scandinavian countries have blue eyes may be..., however, this only occurs in eyes which are unhealthy we this. Have blue eyes while blue eyes from UV radiation researches have shown that Danish Vikings more! With green eyes are the second most common in North Africa, the Middle East, Brazil, and reflection... Also some genetic researches have shown that Danish Vikings were more red-haired than Swedish Vikings for who. Which eye color as a result of heterochromia iridum, it was created by the anthropologists Martin. Genes influence eye color in the iris after injury unlike hazel eyes are most combination! And gray, in 5 % of Americans but only 2 % of people with green eyes are most in... On how much melanin is present in the eyes look gray has the most people with eyes! Although these conditions can not permanently change the color of the bond fights... Rudolf Martin and Bruno K Schultz in the back layer, but an important to. It & # x27 ; s also the story of the bond she fights to maintain with her year-old! Complete heterochromia, Hearing Loss, and the reflection of shorter wavelengths eye... Your children will have blue eyes are most common in Europe, and.