Some individuals recognise that our fingerprints are unique, but did you know that no one else shares your exact eye colour? While you might have brown eyes like your sibling, the way that colour manifests in your eyes is entirely unique to you.
Previously, people assumed that they could forecast a child’s eye colour based on their parents’ and grandparents’ eye colours. The prediction was based on the notion that brown is “dominant” over blue, which is “recessive.” Yet, we are discovering that eye colour is far more complex to predict. Because the inheritance of genetic traits is complex. For instance, two blue-eyed parents can have a child with brown eyes. Most infants are born with blue eyes that may darken within their first three years as the melanin develops. If both parents have brown eyes, their children are more likely to inherit brown eyes as well. Darker eye colours typically dominate, so brown usually prevails over green, and green tends to surpass blue. However, this does not guarantee that a child will have brown eyes if one parent has brown and the other has blue eyes.
HOW DOES EYE COLOR COME ABOUT?
The colour of a human’s eyes is influenced by several genes contrary to common belief, the hues of your eyes do not simply result from a blend of your parents’ eye colours. However, a multitude of genes from both parents contribute to your eye colour, making it a matter of chance.
Eye colour is determined by the quantity and arrangement of a brown pigment known as melanin in your iris. Eye colours are determined by how much and how melanin is distributed within the iris. In simplest terms, brown eyes possess more melanin than blue eyes do. Furthermore, there are numerous shades of eye colour in between. While you and a family member might have the same colour of eyes, the specific amount of melanin in your iris and its distribution is exclusive to each individual.
Let’s look at the various types of eye colours and their features.
COMMON EYE COLORS
Research has gained significant insight into some of these genes, which dictate the most prevalent eye colours: brown, blue, and green highlighted below.
- Brown eyes: Interestingly, individuals with dark brown eyes face a higher likelihood of developing cataracts compared to those with blue eyes. Brown eyes have a significant amount of melanin and are dominant in many populations. Sometimes, brown eyes can seem black.
- Blue eyes: More frequently found in European populations, blue eyes consist of less melanin. All blue-eyed individuals possess a specific genetic trait indicating they have a common ancestor.
- Green eyes: Considered relatively uncommon, green eyes feature a particular amount and distribution of melanin. The green appearance is not solely due to the melanin content, but also how light reflects off the eye, causing the scattering effect.
- Pink or red eyes: Individuals with albinism have minimal to no melanin in their skin, hair, and irises. Typically, someone with albinism will have light blue eyes. In rare cases, the irises lack melanin entirely, leading to eyes that may look pink or red due to visible blood vessels.
LESS COMMON EYE COLORS.
1. Gray eyes: Found in certain European groups, grey eyes contain a specific level of melanin.
2. Amber eyes: Rare and often linked to unique genetic traits, amber eyes exhibit a golden hue.
3. Violet eyes: Extremely uncommon, violet eyes often occur due to a specific genetic condition.
4. Hazel eyes: A mix of brown and green, hazel eyes may seem to change colour.
Scientists are still investigating how other shades, such as hazel, bluish-grey, and a variety of combinations, come to be.
Interestingly, among all these diverse eye colours, there are individuals with two different coloured irises, known as heterochromia (where each eye features a different colour). Stay tuned for our next post to learn more about this eye condition.
In the meantime, prioritize your eye health with us at TREETOP VISION EYE CENTRE (TREVEC), the best eye clinic in Utako-Abuja.
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This is a very good information. Thank you very much!