For blue-eyed people, this top layer lacks melanin. [78] People with lighter eye colors, such as blue or green, have lessened protection from the sun, and so need greater protection from the sun's rays than those with darker eye colors. Research has found that eye color may play a role in various areas of health and well-being. The incidence of blue eyes continues to decline among American children. [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. Most newborn babies who have European ancestry have light-colored eyes. The second most common eye color worldwide is blue, with several estimates revealing that about 8 to 10% of the worlds population share this trait. Many babies born with blue eyes experience a change in color as more pigment develops within the first three years. Countries: Blue Eyes Percentage Can you name the countries with the biggest percentage of people with blue eyes? [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. [62][63][64], Approximately 8% to 10% of the global population have blue eyes. 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 . In cases of central Heterochromia, the irises are identical, but there is a ring of different colors around the pupil. At the end, what we got was a blonde map of Europe. [85] A blue coloration of the sclera may also be symptomatic of disease. 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. These seemingly insignificant physical features are two of the most dominant characteristics of Sweden's population. Blue eyes aren't even actually blue. Estonia is the country most known for its fair-skinned, blue-eyed population, followed closely by Finland. In contrast, Europe has the widest variety of eye color, and the largest proportion of people with blue eyes. Blue eyes are also found in Central Asia, North Africa, South Asia, West Asia, and Southern Europe. [8], The genetics and inheritance of eye color in humans is complicated. 207,208 - (1968), Last edited on 21 February 2023, at 15:18, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Phenotypes and Genotypes for human eye colors. As of 2010[update], as many as 16 genes have been associated with eye color inheritance. [3]:9[6] The result is a "Tyndall blue" structural color that varies with external lighting conditions. The more melanin concentration one has, the darker ones eyes will be. This damage will cause your vision to become blurrier and more distorteda condition called macular degeneration. On top of that, blue eyes are not truly blue. Affects function of OCA2, with a specific mutation strongly linked to blue eyes. The green color is from a combination of a blue hue from Rayleigh scattering and "yellow" from the yellow pigment called lipochrome. Like other Scandinavian countries, blond hair and blue eyes are the most common combination. This is why regular eye exams repay your investment many times over. Light or medium-pigmented brown eyes can also be commonly found in South Europe, among the Americas, and parts of Central Asia, West Asia and South Asia. [77], The most important role of melanin in the iris is to protect the eyes from the sun's harmful rays. Black People With Blue Eyes. [26] [19] This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 15:18. Redheads can change temperature quicker. [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. Human eyes don't have their full amount of melanin pigment at birth. [54] In 2008, new research tracked down one genetic mutation that leads to blue 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. Close to 8%-10% of people have blue eyes, with the US having a percentage of around 27%. It is, therefore, interesting to note how eye colors vary worldwide and the different percentages of people in the world that have brown, blue, hazel, amber, green, and gray eyes. 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. How older drivers can improve their driving at night, trace their eye color back to that one person, population of people with lighter eyes, hair and skin, Eye exams: 5 reasons why they are important, 5 Things you might not know about blue eyes. Researchers believe there is one ancestor responsible for blue eyes that descended from the Black Sea region of southeastern Europe anywhere between 6,000 to 10,000 years ago. Home Improvement / story. 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. 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. How much lighter are the eyes of Northern Europeans compared to everybody elses? Sitting sixth on this list, Denmark's population is 60 percent blue-eyed. People with green eyes have a bit more melanin than people with blue eyes. Scientists assume that this genetic mutation might have happened somewhat between 5,000 and 3,000 ago, under the assumption that it was an evolutionary adaptation connected to competition for mates. Blue eyes with a brown spot, green eyes, and gray eyes are caused by an entirely different part of the genome. Cavin Herbert Eye Institute. Different SNPs within OCA2 are strongly associated with blue and green eyes as well as variations in freckling, mole counts, hair and skin tone. "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.". Blue eyes may have developed due to an evolutionary response to the dark winters prevalent in Northern Europe. MedlinePlus. With almost 61 percent of its population having blue eyes, this country is truly unique and undeniably beautiful. An estimated 13 percent of Scots have red hair, the highest such figure in the world. 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. Eye color results from the amount of pigment (melanin) you have in the front layer (stroma). People with brown eyes have high concentrations of . People with blue eyes may need to be extra diligent when it comes to protecting themselves from harmful UV rays and blue light. Have you ever wondered which the top countries that have the most blondes and blue eyes as a percentage of population are? Some speculate that this change in environment was a contributing factor. Although there are some claims that around 99% of Estonians have blue eyes, we have gone with the one probably more realistic assumption that around 64% of Estonian population has blue-grayish eyes. From 6-36 months, cells in the iris start producing melanin and the eye color will change. In fact, more than half of all Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had surgery to get rid of cataracts. Additionally, Icelanders are very passionate about supporting their sports teams! Gray eyes can also be found among the Algerian Shawia people[69] of the Aurs Mountains in Northwest Africa, in the Middle East/West Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia. 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. Transillumination defects can almost always be observed during an eye examination due to lack of iridial pigmentation. At the same time, nearly half of the U.S. population has brown eyes. Amber is the third rarest eye color in the world after green and gray, and approximately 5% of the worlds population have amber eyes. We all know those people whose eyes look nothing like their parents, but there was some cousin or ancestor in their family that they resemble much to. Activities of melanocytes are responsible for our skin pigmentation, as it is familiar, and also eye and hair color. People with blue eyes have a single, common ancestor, according to new research. However, they might increase your risk of health problems like type 1 diabetes and eye cancer. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. "From this we can conclude that all blue-eyed individuals are linked to the same ancestor," said Eiberg. Ready? They lower your risk of developing cataracts, for instance. 15 Best Places to Travel in November in Europe, Asia and Tropical Destinations 15 Most Expensive Items You Can Buy on Amazon. [12] A specific mutation within the HERC2 gene, a gene that regulates OCA2 expression, is partly responsible for blue eyes. 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. Dark brown eyes are dominant in humans. 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 eyes have a little more melanin than hazel eyes, and still account for approximately 5% of the population. [34] Many animals such as canines, domestic cats, owls, eagles, pigeons and fish have amber eyes, whereas in humans this color occurs less frequently. A common cause in females with heterochromia is X-inactivation, which can result in a number of heterochromatic traits, such as calico cats. A lower level of melanin allows more light to reflect off the eye; the blue color is the resulting shade. Eye color may not remain constant throughout your life. Amber eye color is commonly found in Pakistan and the Balkan region, as well as in Southern France, the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, and Hungary, and in fewer numbers in the Middle East, Colombia, and the Southern Cone region. Studies conducted in 2019 found some interesting statistics on blue-eyed populations around the globe. 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. [47][48] In Scotland, 29% of people have green eyes. Iceland, the northernmost country of the bunch, has the greatest percentage of people with blue eyes. In Finland, apart from native Finns, there are Sami people (living in the north of the country in Lapland), which have a greater percentage of dark hair and eye color. The collagen is scatted by light to make the eyes look gray. This is an ongoing area of research, but an important connection to keep in mind. Unsurprisingly, another Scandinavian country has placed itself third on our list of countries with the highest percentage of blond hair citizens. All blue-eyed people have one ancestor in common, born around 6,000 to 10,000 years ago. [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. Eyeglass temples: How do you know if they're the right length? 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. According to medical science, people with light-colored eyes such as blue, green or grey have a higher risk of eye cancer. Whats the Difference Between Vitiligo and Albinism? Click to read the article and view the infographic. [17], There is evidence that as many as 16 different genes could be responsible for eye color in humans; however, the main two genes associated with eye color variation are OCA2 and HERC2, and both are localized in Chromosome 15. Heterozygous Genotype: Traits and Diseases, Choosing the Best Sunglasses to Protect Your Eyes, hearing loss after being exposed to loud noises. Brown melanin is the only pigment that exists in the eye; there is no pigment for hazel or green or blue. One possible explanation for the difference in the appearance of gray and blue eyes is that gray eyes have larger deposits of collagen in the stroma, so that the light that is reflected from the epithelium undergoes Mie scattering (which is not strongly frequency-dependent) rather than Rayleigh scattering (in which shorter wavelengths of light are scattered more). Iris color and associated pathological ocular complications: a review of epidemiologic studies. Less melanin, the eyes are blue. It may take up to six months for the gene responsible for creating the pigment in the eyes to activate melanin production. Read our. The higher the melanin concentration in the iris, the darker the eye color will be. It is, therefore, essential to remember that no matter what your eye color is, it is important to take care of your eyes, shield them from harmful UV radiations, and visit an opthalmologist for regular checks. Around 70% to 80% of the people also have blue 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. A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye (the clear part of the eye that helps to focus light). [4][34] Hazel eyes often appear to shift in color from a brown to a green. Comments. [50] Among European Americans, green eyes are most common among those of recent Celtic and Germanic ancestry with about 16%. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com. A baby's eyes may be blue during this time, but later change color. 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. This color transition can take anywhere from a few months to three years to run its course. The world is a beautiful, diverse place, full of unique cultures and individuals. Having blue eyes has its advantages. What do the numbers on your eyeglass frames mean? Whether it is due to genetics or lifestyle factors, there are a lot of interesting things to learn about these stunning individuals and their unique heritage. Most Asian and African children are born with brown and black eyes. What do the numbers on your eyeglass frames mean? It was created by the anthropologists Rudolf Martin and Bruno K Schultz in the first half of the 20th century. 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Europeans compared to everybody elses 6,000 to 10,000 years ago 15 Best Places to Travel in November in,. Sunglasses to protect your eyes, hearing loss after being exposed to noises... Everybody elses Martin and Bruno K Schultz in the iris, the northernmost country of 20th! No pigment for hazel or green or grey have a higher risk of health problems like type diabetes. Is scatted by light to make the eyes of Northern Europeans compared everybody..., diverse place, full of unique cultures and individuals of blue eyes of brown varies depending the! 47 ] [ 64 ], Approximately 8 % -10 % of people have green eyes and... As many as 16 genes have been associated with eye color will change your eyeglass frames mean European Americans green. European ancestry have light-colored eyes eyes may be blue during this time, nearly half of the most characteristics..., hearing loss after being exposed to loud noises appear to shift in color as more pigment within... 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Prevalent in Northern Europe Africa, South Asia, West Asia, and gray eyes also... Hazel or green or grey have a single, common ancestor, according to research... The pigment in the iris start producing melanin and the largest proportion of people with eyes... Name the countries with the biggest percentage of blond hair and blue eyes the. This color transition can take anywhere from a few months to three to... The greatest percentage of people have green eyes are also found in central Asia, North Africa, Asia!
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