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Discover the Rare Natural Eye Color Chart

Jul 22,2024 | Coleyes

 
Ever wondered what the rarest natural eye colors are? This rare natural eye color chart breaks down the world’s most uncommon eye colors, like green, amber, gray, and even red or violet. Discover how rare these eye colors are and what genetic factors make them unique.
Eye color is determined by the amount of melanin in the iris and influenced by multiple genes, including OCA2 and HERC2.
The rarest natural eye colors include green, amber, grey, and red/violet, each associated with specific genetic traits and melanin levels.
Unique eye color variations such as heterochromia, anisocoria, and pink eyes occur due to genetic disorders, developmental irregularities, or health conditions.

Understanding Eye Color Genetics

The color of our eyes is determined by the pigmentation of the iris, the colored part of the eye, and the amount of melanin present. Eye color is a complex trait influenced by multiple genes, with melanin and genetics being the primary factors. Some common eye colors include:
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Hazel
  • Gray
The specific combination of genes and melanin levels in an individual’s eyes determines their unique eye color.
From the darkest shades of brown to the lightest blue, the genetic interplay is nothing short of a fascinating lottery.

The Role of Melanin

Melanin, a natural pigment, is vital in deciding the color of our eyes. The more melanin present in the iris, the darker the eye color. Conversely, lower levels of melanin lead to lighter eyes.
For instance, blue-eyed individuals have minimal melanin, which makes their eyes more sensitive to light. The scattering of light by the stroma, a layer of the iris, also contributes to the eye’s color, particularly for green and blue eyes.

Key Genes Involved

A group of genes primarily influence the color of the eyes, which is determined by the genetics of eye color. The OCA2 gene, located on chromosome 15, is pivotal as it influences melanin production. The HERC2 gene, which regulates the OCA2 gene, also plays a significant role. Mutations and variations in these genes can lead to a spectrum of eye colors, from the common brown to the rare blue and green.
Additional genes like ASIP, IRF4, SLC24A4, and TYR further complicate this genetic mosaic.

The Rarest Natural Eye Colors

While there’s a vast array of eye colors, a few stand out for their rarity. These include:
  • green
  • amber
  • grey
  • red or violet
Their rarity is often a result of unique genetic configurations and varying levels of melanin.

Green Eyes

 
A mere 2% of the world’s population can boast of having the rare and captivating green eyes. They are more common in certain parts of Europe and are often found to be more prevalent among women.
The unique light scattering and moderate melanin levels give light colored eyes, particularly green eyes, their mesmerizing hue, while very dark brown eyes captivate with their deep, rich color.

Amber Eyes

Distinctly characterized by a solid gold hue, amber eyes stand out, devoid of the brown, green, or orange flecks seen in other eye colors. This distinct color is due to a higher concentration of lipochrome, a variant of melanin.
Around 5% of the world’s population has these captivating eyes, which almost seem to glow.

Grey Eyes

Gray eyes, a rare and striking eye color, grace about 3% of the population. The unique appearance of grey eyes is due to the amount of collagen in the stroma and low levels of melanin. They can appear to change color based on lighting conditions, sometimes looking greenish or even blue.

Red or Violet Eyes

 
Red or violet eyes, some of the rarest, are often linked to albinism, a condition marked by the absence of melanin. The red or pink hue comes from light reflecting off the blood vessels at the back of the eye. Such eye colors are extremely rare, found in less than 0.01% of the population.

Unique Eye Color Variations

On top of the standard eye color spectrum, certain unique variations emerge due to genetic disorders or developmental irregularities. These include heterochromia, anisocoria, and pink eyes.

Heterochromia

Heterochromia, where an individual’s eyes are two different colors or contain segments of different colors within one eye, is a fascinating phenomenon. It occurs in less than 1% of the population and can be categorized into three types:
  1. Complete heterochromia: Each eye is a different color.
  2. Sectoral heterochromia: One eye has a segment of a different color.
  3. Central heterochromia: The inner ring of the iris is a different color than the outer ring.
Conditions like Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis can also lead to this variation, sometimes causing vision problems.

Anisocoria

Anisocoria, marked by unequal pupil sizes, can create the illusion of eyes of different colors. This condition can result from trauma, neurological disorders, or be congenital.

Pink Eyes

Pink eyes, a sight usually seen in individuals with albinism, are incredibly uncommon. This eye color results from a complete absence of melanin, making the tiny blood vessels in the iris visible and giving the eyes a pink or pale red appearance.

Common but Less Frequent Eye Colors

Brown eyes may be globally dominant, but dark brown eyes, blue, and hazel eyes, while common, occur with less frequency.

Blue Eyes

 
Blue eyes, seen in 8% to 10% of the world’s population, owe their existence to a genetic mutation from about 10,000 years ago. This mutation leads to a lack of melanin in the iris, allowing light to scatter and create the blue appearance, including light blue eyes. All blue-eyed individuals can trace their ancestry back to a single ancestor, which means that two blue eyed parents share this common origin.

Hazel Eyes

Known for their blend of green, brown, and occasionally gold hues, hazel eyes result from the interaction between light brown pigment and blue light. They are found in about 5% of the population and have a multicolored appearance due to the distribution of melanin on the iris.

Factors Influencing Eye Color Changes

A variety of factors, including age, health conditions, medications, and injuries, can cause eye color to change over time.

Age and Health Conditions

With age, certain conditions such as arcus senilis, noticeable as a hazy ring on the cornea, can alter eye color. Additionally, cataracts can make eyes appear more grey or milky.

Medications and Injuries

Certain medications, especially those used for treating glaucoma like prostaglandins, can progressively darken eye color. Injuries or trauma to the eye can also lead to changes in eye color due to tissue damage or changes in the iris.

The Most Attractive Eye Colors

Beauty indeed lies in the eye of the beholder, and this holds true for eye color preferences, which can greatly vary.

Popular Preferences

Many surveys reveal that green eyes frequently top the list of the most attractive, collecting a significant number of votes in several studies. Light blue and hazel eyes also rank highly in terms of attractiveness.

Psychological Impact

Psychological elements, like positive experiences from childhood, can shape an individual’s affinity for specific eye colors. For example, people might find blue or green eyes attractive if they associate those colors with positive feelings or people from their past.

To Conclude

From the genetics that determine our eye color to the rare hues that captivate us, the diversity of eye colors is a testament to the complexity and beauty of human genetics. Whether it’s the striking green, the rare amber, or the common but beloved blue, each eye color tells a story of genetic heritage and natural wonder.
 

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