September 10, 2017by Mo MaghsoudniaBlog0 comments
6 Rare and Unique Eye Colors
The eyes certainly are windows to the soul, and if you know anything about eyes or windows, you are aware that they come in many different tints and colors!
Most commonly, you see brown, blue, or hazel eyes when you look at the people around you, but some people, whether it be luck or a medical condition, wind up with a really cool and rare eye color. What are the rarest eye colors and how do they happen?
The Rarest Eye Colors and How They Occur
| Eye Color | Cause(s) |
|---|---|
Black | An abundance of melanin |
Red/Pink | Albinism and blood leaking into the iris |
Amber | A little melanin with a large amount of lipochrome |
Green | A little melanin, a bunch of lipochrome and Rayleigh scattering of light |
Violet | Lack of pigment mixed with light reflecting off of red blood vessels |
Heterochromia | Increased or decreased pigmentation in the iris |
Did You Know?
Only 2% of the world’s population has green eyes! Talk about a rarity! Next time you see someone rocking natural greens, let them in on this cool fact.
So, Which Is the Most Unique?
There really isn’t a way to determine exactly which eye color is the rarest, but if you have never seen any of the ones listed below, just know that it’s because it’s rare. This list is in no particular order, and if your eye color made the cut, consider yourself a gem.
1. Black Eyes
Have you ever seen someone with eyes that seem black as night? Although they appear black, they are really just a very, very dark brown, which is caused by an abundance of melanin. You may only be able to determine the pupil from the iris when looking at the eye with a bright light!
2. Red/Pink Eyes
Two major conditions cause a red or pinkish eye color: albinism and blood leaking into the iris. Although albinos tend to have very, very light blue eyes due to a lack of pigment, some forms of albinism can cause eyes to appear red or pink.
Amber eyes are a beautiful honey color!
3. Amber Eyes
This beautiful, golden eye color is often confused with hazel. The difference is that hazel eyes have brown and green in them, while amber eyes are a solid, uniform color. With a little melanin and a whole lot of lipochrome, eyes of this shade almost appear to be glowing! A few different animals have this eye color, but it’s a true rarity in humans.
4. Green Eyes
Very little melanin, a burst of lipochrome, and the Rayleigh scattering of light that reflects off the yellow stroma can make for a variety of shades of green. With only two percent of the world’s population having green eyes, it’s definitely rare!
Pretty purple eyes naturally occur because of a lack of pigment, but are very rare.
5. Violet Eyes
Oh, what a purplish blue! This color is most often found in people with albinism. It is said that you cannot truly have violet eyes without albinism. Mix a lack of pigment with the red from light reflecting off of blood vessels in the eyes, and you get this beautiful violet!
6. Heterochromia
This is not a set color, but rather arare eye conditionwhere either
- one iris is a different color than the other iris (David Bowie!), or
- there is a spot in an iris that is an entirely different color than the rest of the iris due to pigmentation differences.
It’s quite an unusual type of eye coloring that some individuals have, and while many people wear contacts to make their eye color more uniform, I think it’s beautiful, and such a rarity should be flaunted!
What Determines the Color of Your Eyes?
Many people will argue that it is purely genetic, which, for the most part, has been found to be true; however, there’s still not a lot known about the genes that determine a person’s eye color. We do know that rare eye color genes are recessive, so perhaps it’s just a matter of the two right peoples’ genes coming together to bring forth the phenomena.
Now, what we do know about eye color determination is that it involves two pigments (along with how the iris scatters lights): melanin (brown pigment) and lipochrome (a yellow pigment). When you see someone with light, blue eyes, it means there is an absence of melanin, or brown pigmentation.
Originally, we all had brown eyes. 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.
— Professor Hans Eiberg, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen
Did We All Have Brown Eyes?
It is believed that the human race started out havingbrown eyesand due to genetic mutations, other colors came about. Perhaps this is why brown is the most common (but no less beautiful)!
So many people who have perfect vision choose to wear contacts just to have a rare eye color so if you made the cut, consider yourself lucky!
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Greetings, enthusiasts of ocular wonders! As someone deeply immersed in the fascinating realm of eye colors, let me assure you that my expertise extends beyond mere fascination. I am well-versed in the intricate details and scientific nuances that make every eye a unique masterpiece. Now, let's delve into the captivating article on rare and unique eye colors dated September 10, 2017, authored by Mo Maghsoudnia.
1. Black Eyes: Contrary to popular belief, eyes that appear as black as night are, in fact, an extremely dark shade of brown caused by an abundance of melanin. The intensity is such that distinguishing the pupil from the iris may require bright light.
2. Red/Pink Eyes: Red or pinkish eye colors stem from conditions like albinism and blood leakage into the iris. Albinos usually exhibit very light blue eyes due to pigment deficiency, but certain forms of albinism can result in red or pink eyes.
3. Amber Eyes: Distinct from hazel, amber eyes boast a solid, uniform golden hue. This rare eye color is attributed to a combination of melanin and a generous amount of lipochrome, giving the eyes a captivating, almost glowing appearance.
4. Green Eyes: With minimal melanin, an infusion of lipochrome, and the Rayleigh scattering of light off the yellow stroma, green eyes are a rare spectacle, gracing only about 2% of the global population.
5. Violet Eyes: The ethereal purplish-blue shade of violet eyes is most commonly associated with people having albinism. The color results from a lack of pigment combined with the reflection of red light off blood vessels, creating a truly unique and beautiful hue.
6. Heterochromia: While not a specific color, heterochromia is a rare eye condition where one iris differs in color from the other or contains a spot with a different color due to pigmentation differences. It's a captivating rarity that some individuals proudly flaunt.
Eye Color Determination: The article also delves into the intriguing question of what determines the color of our eyes. While many argue that genetics play a crucial role, the exact genes responsible for eye color remain somewhat elusive. The interplay of two pigments—melanin (brown) and lipochrome (yellow)—along with the scattering of light by the iris contributes to the diverse spectrum of eye colors.
Origins of Eye Colors: The article posits an interesting historical perspective, suggesting that the human race initially had brown eyes. Genetic mutations, particularly affecting the OCA2 gene, led to the emergence of various eye colors. Brown eyes, therefore, are considered the most common but no less beautiful outcome of this evolutionary process.
In conclusion, the captivating world of eye colors is a testament to the complexity of genetics and the beauty that arises from genetic diversity. Whether you possess the common yet stunning brown eyes or boast the rarity of violet or heterochromatic eyes, each set of eyes is a unique masterpiece, reflecting the marvels of human biology and evolution.
