Photochromic lenses are another way to protect blue eyes from UV radiation. So, the more melanin you have, the darker your eyes appear. [10][11] However, OCA2 gene polymorphism, close to proximal 5' regulatory region, explains most human eye-color variation. Medicaid: Eligibility and Vision Benefits. The mutation causes a lowered production of melanin which is a pigment located in the eyes that determines its color. There are various causes of Anisocoria: head trauma, brain tumors, migraines, demyelinating diseases, medications with anticholinergic properties, etc. In these cases, the only color seen is the red from the hemoglobin of the blood in the capillaries of the iris. The color of ones eye is perhaps one of the first things people observe when they see each other. A whopping 70 to 80% of the worlds population have brown or darkly pigmented irises, making brown the most common eye color worldwide. In cases of central Heterochromia, the irises are identical, but there is a ring of different colors around the pupil. It shows up in about 9% of Americans but only 2% of the world's population. By contrast, less than 1 in every 100 people in southern Europe . Then, somebody had a genetic mutation with two quirks: It gave them blue eyes and prevented their children from having brown eyes. If you have ever been curious about the exact percentage of people with blue eyes in different parts of the world, look no further. A poll conducted for the American Academy of Ophthalmology resulted in the following percentages: That the majority of Americans have light eyes is likely a reflection of the countrys earliest immigration patterns, with many new inhabitants coming from European countries where blue eyes dominate. 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. Share with Friends Add To Playlist. Follow. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com. In fact, more than half of all Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had surgery to get rid of cataracts. [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. 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. 2012;36(2):234-240. doi:10.1007/s00266-011-9793-x, Di Stasio E, Maggi D, Berardesca E, et al. Your pupil is the small black opening in the center. Green eyes are common in Europe's Central, Western, and Northern regions. Amber eyes have a little more melanin than hazel eyes, and still account for approximately 5% of the population. 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%. 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 . This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 15:18. Blue eyes are more concentrated in certain regions than others. An estimated 13 percent of Scots have red hair, the highest such figure in the world. Sorry, no results has been found matching your query. Originally, all human eyes were brown. [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]. Such albinos have pink eyes, as do albino rabbits, mice, or any other animal with a total lack of melanin. So, take these figures with a pinch of salt. Scientists are looking into the possibility of those who have blue eyes being at higher risk for sensorineural hearing loss. 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. Ready? [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. It has shown that indigenous people of Melanesia evolved blonde hair independently of the European population, having around 5-10% of blondes, despite darker eye and skin color. Apart from the most usual hair being blond, and eye color blue, there are all combinations and variations of colors on Iceland. Arina was adopted by a family in Toronto four years . Blue is the second most common and brown tops the list with 45% of the U.S. population and possibly almost 80% worldwide. The top layer, called the epithelium, is where the melanin (pigment) that gives an eye its color lives. Eye color is partially affected by light, especially blue eyes, which get their color specifically by light entering and reflecting out of the eye. [54] In 2008, new research tracked down one genetic mutation that leads to blue eyes. The amount of damage depends on wavelength and exposure time . Approximately 27% of people in the United States and between 8% and 10% of the world's population have blue eyes. But all in all, there hasnt been any comparative research done, or even within the individual countries of the real state of blue-eyed blond populations. Are contact lenses a good choice for kids? Nothing to do with their mythical fiery temperament! For just about everyone, the back layer of each eye is brown. At first, you may not notice that you have a cataract. [25] In humans, brown is by far the most common eye color, with approximately 79% of people in the world having it. The more melanin concentration one has, the darker ones eyes will be. A global view of the OCA2-HERC2 region and pigmentation. 8. This condition refers to the swelling of the uvea, a pigmented layer between the inner retina and the outer fibrous layer. Vika - a 17 year-old Ukrainian orphan with fiery red hair, bright blue eyes and an everlasting laugh - is setting out into the world for the very first time, all alone. The incidence of blue eyes continues to decline among American children. The mutation occurred between . Iris color and associated pathological ocular complications: a review of epidemiologic studies. Keep that 70-79% global estimate for brown eyes in mind when you look at the numbers below from a study in the journal Forensic Science International: Genetics.. Bilirubin thus accumulates in the blood and makes the sclera and skin yellow. People with blue eyes have a single, common ancestor, according to new research. Contact an eye doctor if you need medical attention. The brightly colored eyes of many bird species result from the presence of other pigments, such as pteridines, purines, and carotenoids. Find an eyecare professional and book online in minutes! 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. But a survey of more than 25,000 people from 12 countries has . Whats the Difference Between Vitiligo and Albinism? [4][34] Hazel eyes often appear to shift in color from a brown to a green. Your blue eyes arent really blue. Send a Message. The lack of pigment leads to red or violet eyes and often problems with their eyesight. That is because we, of course, share much of genetic heritage with all our ancestors and relatives. They look blue because of how light is reflected. Studies on Caucasian twins, both fraternal and identical, have shown that eye color over time can be subject to change, and major demelanization of the iris may also be genetically determined. [74][75][76] Eyes that appear red or violet under certain conditions due to albinism are less than 1 percent of the world's population. In the US, 45% of people have brown eyes, while the rarest eye color is green only 9% of people in the US have green eyes. Comments. Brown melanin is the only pigment that exists in the eye; there is no pigment for hazel or green or blue. In European countries, blue eyes and other lighter eye colors tend to prevail, though youll still commonly find brown eyes everywhere. If you see a dark outline around your iris -- the colored part of your eye -- this is your limbal ring. About 5% of the worlds population have hazel eyes. 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. 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. Most Asian and African children are born with brown and black eyes. Hazel eyes: What determines hazel eye color? [14] As of 2006[update], one out of every six Americans, or 16.6% of the total US population, has blue eyes,[65] including 22.3% of whites. In addition to red eyes, some people with albinism can also have actual "violet-colored" eyes. Red hair is . Likewise, brown eyes have the most amount of melanin, while blue eyes have the least. Some medical conditions affect ones eye color. Associated with differences between blue and green eyes. In addition to genetics, the anatomic structure of the iris can also affect eye color to some degree. [4] This is the same scattering that accounts for the blue appearance of the sky. Black People With Blue Eyes. Dark brown eyes are dominant in humans. Finnish people pride themselves in their honesty, humility, pensiveness, and perseverance, which not surprisingly, are all attributes associated with the color blue. [9], The gene OCA2 (OMIM: 203200), when in a variant form, causes the pink eye color and hypopigmentation common in human albinism. It's completely normal to see blue become brown, hazel, or even green as they get a little older. [29] Brown eyes are common in Europe, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, West Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Americas. Grey 0%. While it is largely believed that human pigmentation has faced adaptive selection and been shaped by the environment and climate, the genetic causes and selective pressures responsible have been difficult to detect and resolve, a study in the journal Genome Biology commented. 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. Redheads have fewer strands of hair on their heads. The researchers found four key areas of the genome where variation closely correlated with skin color differences. This is why many babies are born with blue eyes, only to have their eye color change as their irises develop more melanin throughout early childhood. Sitting sixth on this list, Denmark 's population is 60 percent blue-eyed. As explained by livescience.com, "a single mutation which arose as recently as . Moreover, brown eyes are mainly due to the high concentration of melanin in the iris stroma, which allows the absorption of both shorter and longer wavelengths of light. Furnace, Boiler or Heat Pump? [66] 56% of Slovenes have blue/green eyes. 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. One more usual hair color is red, and also green eye color, being among the rarest in the world. January 2008. [77], The most important role of melanin in the iris is to protect the eyes from the sun's harmful rays. Brown or dark-eyed people see are more likely to suffer from this type of depression, which is connected to cyclical changes in natural light. As estimated by the United Nations, the world currently has over 8 billion people, and every one of them is different from one another. [9] The earlier belief that blue eye color is a simple recessive trait has been shown to be incorrect. Almost everyone (even people with blue or green eyes) has brown pigment in the back layer of the iris. If you have a darker iris color, you are at a greater risk of developing this eye disease. To put that in perspective, 79% of people have brown eyes. [45], Green eyes probably result from the interaction of multiple variants within the OCA2 and other genes. 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. . Researches at Penn State University identified SLC24A5 as the gene responsible for skin pigmentation, and a specific mutation within it responsible for fair skin. 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. In humans, the pigmentation of the iris varies from light brown to black, depending on the concentration of melanin in the iris pigment epithelium (located on the back of the iris), the melanin content within the iris stroma (located at the front of the iris), and the cellular density of the stroma. Mujica-Mota MA, Schermbrucker J, Daniel SJ. In fact, over 80 percent of the inhabitants of Estonia . It may take up to six months for the gene responsible for creating the pigment in the eyes to activate melanin production. [83], Eye color outside of the iris may also be symptomatic of disease. Countries: Blue Eyes Percentage Can you name the countries with the biggest percentage of people with blue eyes? On average, they have 90,000 strands, while blondes . If you have blue eyes, it means the iris part of your eyes lacks melanin, so, technically, blue eyes don't have any color. However, approximately 6,000 to 10,000 years ago, the blue-eyed gene mutation spread. 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. In their study, Eiberg and his team recruited 800 blue-eyed men and women across different countries. (The name of the gene is derived from the disorder it causes, oculocutaneous albinism type II.) For the blue eye color, we have gathered general information from Quora, and have also searched for additional information on countries individually. Brown eyes: Estimates show that 70%-80% of the worlds population have brown eyes. Blue is the most common eye colour in Britain, researchers found. Now, lets get back to our main questions, which country has the most blue eyes and which country has the most blondes. The gray-eyed have little or no melanin in their iris but have more collagen in the stroma part of the eye. Scientists have tracked down a genetic mutation which took place 6,000-10,000 years ago and is the cause of the eye . Blond hair percentage: 75. Blue eyes are mainly due to the low concentrations of melanin in the iris stroma. While ocular melanomas may happen at any age, the risk goes up as you get older. 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. Amber 5.0%. [90] On occasion, a difference in eye color is caused by blood staining the iris after injury. Krystina is a Technical Writer with a background in healthcare. [92] In another study, people with darker eyes performed better at hitting racquetballs. Amber eyes may also contain amounts of very light gold-ish gray. 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. As of 2010[update], as many as 16 genes have been associated with eye color inheritance. This form of hearing loss comes from damage to the inner ear or to the nerve going from the ear to the brain. Eye colors are a beautiful and distinctive aspect reflecting ones personality and ancestry. Adult eye color is usually established between 3 and 6 months of age, though this can be later. 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. Eye melanoma is known to be more common for those with fair skin and light-colored eyes. [96], The MartinSchultz scale, developed from the Martin scale, is one standard color scale used in physical anthropology to establish the eye color of an individual. In fact, Hamilton should be proud to be part of an exclusive club: recent studies found that only one in six Americans now have blue eyes, down from roughly 50 percent at the beginning of the 20th . Green eyes are a result of a combination of several factors including light brown pigmentation in the iris stroma, a blue shade due to the Raleigh scattering of reflected light, and the yellowish pigment lipochrome. How does a parent with a different eye color have a blue-eyed child? Blue eye color is determined by melanin, and melanin is actually brown by nature. Blue eye color is determined by melanin, and melanin is actually brown by nature. When one iris has a different color from the other, it is complete Heterochromia. In humans, this pigmentation of the iris depends on the melanin concentration in the iris pigment epithelium, it's content within the iris stroma, as well as the cellular density of the stroma. 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 website WorldAtlas.com takes a stab at estimating the breakdown of eye colors worldwide. Blue eyes are most common in northern and eastern Europe, particularly around the Baltic Sea. The iris is made up of two layers of muscle and other kinds of cells. 2000-2023 AAV Media, LLC. This one person with a genetic mutation had children, and the trait was passed to the next generation. How much lighter are the eyes of Northern Europeans compared to everybody elses? Norway. The brown color comes from melanin, a pigment in our eyes that also gives a brown color to hair, skin and other cells. Green eyes: The most attractive eye color? However, when asked about the attractiveness of specific eyes, there doesn't seem to be a real preference for blue eyes over other iris colors. People with brown eyes have high concentrations of . Report. Why do some people have light blue eyes and others have dark blue? Comments. developed a graded system based on the predominant iris color and the amount of brown or yellow pigment present. Indeed, one study found evidence of blue-eyed hunters and gatherers roaming Spain 7,000 years ago. Black is not an eye color. That is, they certainly are not the tallest (although tall enough being behind one of the tallest countries like Germany or Netherlands), and the researches concerning eye color are not precise enough as we have noted in the introduction. If you have dark brown hair and brown eyes, you have something in common with most people around the globe. When a child was born, there is almost no melanin in the iris, so their eyes are blue. Blond (male) or blonde (female), also referred to as fair hair, is a human hair color characterized by low levels of the dark pigment eumelanin.The resultant visible hue depends on various factors, but always has some yellowish color. About 5% of the worlds population and 18% of Americans have hazel eyes -- a mixture of green, gold, and orange. 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. Eye color results from the amount of pigment (melanin) you have in the front layer (stroma). Blue 8.0%. The Greek goddess Athene appears with gray eyes (). The hazel eye color is primarily due to the combination of a decent amount of melanin and Rayleigh scattering. Around 70% to 80% of the people also have blue eyes. There are two main genes on chromosome 15 that determine a person's eye color: OCA2 and HERC2. View Reports-/5-RATE 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. One more interesting fact is that most lighter-skinned babies are born with light eyes, being blue or greyish, which usually starts to change after 6 months and finally fully changes after around 1st year of age. [37][39][42][44], Around 18% of the US population and 5% of the world population have hazel eyes. Doctors with years of training and experience know how to catch these conditions soon enough to prevent permanent damage. 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?". Common Eye Disorders. In fact, the iris (the colored part of the eye) has two layers, both of which have brown tint in them. Give Orange. In addition, OCA2 and HERC2 are the two major genes associated with the variation in eye colors. Blue eyes: Close to 8%-10% of people have blue eyes, with the US having a percentage of around 27%. Brown is the most common eye color in the United States, just as it is globally. Through the analysis of ancient DNA, a 2020 study published in Experimental Dermatology suggested that the common gene for blue eye color likely originated in the Near East and arrived in Europe around 42,000 years ago, after the exodus out of Africa. Waardenburg Syndrome: Pale Blue Eyes, Hearing Loss, and More. 2. 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. One thing that truly sets people apart is their eye color. Denmark - Approximately 60%. In the same way, you can get melanoma on your skin, you can also get melanoma in your eye. [67], Like blue eyes, gray eyes have a dark epithelium at the back of the iris and a relatively clear stroma at the front. 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. With a 75.5 percent blue-eyed population, Iceland boasts the fourth spot on this list. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com. Blue eyes are an inherited trait. Priscilla Vu, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist. [26] We know this happens because the body produces less melanin in people of European ancestry. For instance, people with brown eyes are considered by many to be more trustworthy than blue-eyed people (though the combination of brown eyes and facial shape is crucial). Both parents have to pass along the blue eye gene in order for their child to have blue eyes. Close to 3% of people in the world have gray eyes. Green irises, for example, have some yellow and the blue structural color. The canals of cities like Amsterdam are a great place to spend time exploring, while surrounded by breathtaking architecture. 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. The eyes of some pigeons contain yellow fluorescing pigments known as pteridines. [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. The collagen is scatted by light to make the eyes look gray. Eiberg studied the DNA of 800 men and women with blue eyes from varying countries ranging from "fair-skinned, blond-haired Scandinavians to dark-skinned, blue-eyed people living in Turkey and . or brown eyes. Dissection reveals that the iris pigment epithelium is brownish black due to the presence of melanin. [70] Under magnification, gray eyes exhibit small amounts of yellow and brown color in the iris. 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. An iris that appears blue under this method of observation is more likely to remain blue as the infant ages. The most common eye colors depend largely on geographic location. The extensive study on the genetic mutation was carried out by researchers at three Japanese universities; the research concluded that the genetic mutation occurred around 9,000 BC, as a result of various environmental and evolutionary factors. This genetic switch limits how much melanin is produced in the iris effectively "diluting" brown eyes to a shade of blue. The human eye consists of two types of light and color receptors in the retina. 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. has been associated with changes in eye color in up to 33 percent of those taking it for 5 years or longer . Eye color may not remain constant throughout your life. [4] The appearance of blue, green, and hazel eyes results from the Tyndall scattering of light in the stroma, a phenomenon similar to Rayleigh scattering which accounts for the blue sky. 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. Nevertheless, green eyes are common in a few parts of the world, like Ireland and Scotland. Quizzes; Events; Quiz Creation; Community; Videos; Private Events . 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