3 Eye-Popping Facts About Eye Color Your Optometrist May Never Tell You—Unless You Ask!
Those orbs of color we use to see the world around us, judge someone's sincerity, and admire in those we love may be an overall part of the human appearance. But, your eyes are also one of the most fascinating parts of your body. You may know the basics of the human eye and how to care for your vision, but chances are, if you are like a lot of people, you really don't have a lot to talk about when it comes to the color of your eyes. Here are some pretty fascinating facts you may find interesting, and you may even consider bringing up to your optometrist during your next exam.
Brown eyes are the most common eye color.
For a long time it was speculated what eye color was the most prevailing across all continents, but it turns out, brown eyes do actually take the lead. But, there are a lot of eyes which are deemed simply as being "brown," yet this one color descriptive can mean everything from deep mahogany brown to light amber-brown tones. Brown eyes are the more common trait in the United States, much the same as other countries.
Your eye color can change with age.
If you have ever spoken to an elderly individual and admired their grey eyes, their particular eye color could be less to do with genetics and more to do with their age. Eye color can change and fade with age because of a loss of melanin, which is the component partially responsible for the development color in the first place. Plus, it is worth noting that a sudden or drastic change in your eye color can indicate signs of serious disease or eye health concerns. So as long as you are not seeing a natural progression of fading color, but a sudden transition, it could be a good idea to talk to your eye doctor.
Hazel eyes are quite complex and still under research by scientists.
With most solid eye colors, such as green and brown, the color can be genetically traced to a specific heritage or ancestry. However, hazel eyes are much more diverse in nature. Hazel can describe eyes which boast more than one color, with the most common combination being a mix of green and brown. While researchers are pretty certain hazel eyes are the result of recessive genes handed down from the parents, the actual lineage is hard to trace because of the variances in color and type.