Most Caucasian babies, and many of other ethnic backgrounds, are born with blue eyes. And while violet eyes are a rarity, they're really just a blue hue, with light bouncing off the. Normal eye colors range from the darkest shades of brown to the lightest tints of blue. The iris is made up of two layers of muscle and other kinds of cells. [73], Although the deep blue eyes of some people such as Elizabeth Taylor can appear purple or violet at certain times, "true" violet-colored eyes occur only due to albinism. Gray eye color is one of the loveliest and most uncommon, a trait shared by only 3% of the world's population. Blue is the second most common and brown tops the list with 45% of the U.S. population and possibly almost 80% worldwide. In contrast, more than 50 percent of the global population is believed to have brown eyes. Variances In Color Patterns Among Hazel-colored Eyes Is Due To Light Dispersion, 11. Today, estimates suggest about 17 percent of people worldwide have blue eyes. [26] Hazel eyes are more common in Spaniards, North Africa, the Middle East, and Brazil. Redheads are thought to be more sensitive to pain, too, research shows. There is no blue pigmentation either in the iris or in the vitreous body. At the front layer, brown eyes have a heavy melanin presence. [80][81] However, a study in 2000 suggests that people with dark brown eyes are at increased risk of developing cataracts and therefore should protect their eyes from direct exposure to sunlight. The brightly colored eyes of many bird species result from the presence of other pigments, such as pteridines, purines, and carotenoids. The truth, however, is a bit more complicated, Kaplan notes. Amber eyes are a solid color with a strong yellowish/golden and russet/coppery tint, which may be due to the yellow pigment called lipochrome (also found in green eyes). AIS is an intersex variation found in males who are resistant to male sex hormones. These genes interact with each other in complex ways ways scientists dont yet fully understand. Hazel Eyes Have Attracted Numerous Myths and Theories, how many people in the world have hazel eyes, personality traits of people with hazel eyes, what do hazel eyes say about your personality, what does it mean when you have hazel eyes, what percentage of people have hazel eyes. In fact, only about 17 percent of the world's population has blue eyes. Plus, theyre responsible and thoughtful. Learn about its uses, safety, and potential downsides here. Brown accounts for about three-quarters of all hazel eye occurrences. HERC2 essentially turns the OCA2 gene off or on when it is necessary. Theyre sometimes mistaken for green eyes for this reason. Hazel eyes also have areas of green, but their uneven distribution of pigments produces areas of brown or gold as well. There Are Two Main Types of Hazel Eyes, 3. "Iris color" redirects here. [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. Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Blue eyes are also found in southern Europe, Central Asia, South Asia, North Africa and West Asia. Her work has appeared inThe New York Times, Consumer Reports, Real Simple, HealthandTime, among other publications. [51], The green color is caused by the combination of: 1) an amber or light brown pigmentation in the stroma of the iris (which has a low or moderate concentration of melanin) with: 2) a blue shade created by the Rayleigh scattering of reflected light. Theres a lot of mystery surrounding hazel eyes. [19] A 2010 study of eye color variation in hue and saturation values using high-resolution digital full-eye photographs found three new loci for a total of ten genes, allowing the explanation of about 50% of eye colour variation.[20]. Whether you have one or both MC1R gene copies inactivated can also determine the shade of red hair you have, from strawberry blonde to deep auburn to bright red. Hazel eyes: 18% Green eyes: 9% Other eye colors: 1% Unusual Eye Colors Though rare, people can have red or pink eyes or even two different colored eyes. In people with hazel eyes, both types of melanin are present, but in different amounts and at different parts of the iris. In many cases, you can predict a childs eye color based on their parents. How Do Blind People Experience Their Dreams? Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases and, after promo period ends, to the promo balance. Your Dress Code Can Complement or Clash With Your Hazel Eyes, 14. Only about 2 percent of the worlds population sport this shade. [93] There are also other studies that challenge these findings. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Offer cannot be combined with any other discounts or special offers, previous surgery, insurance, or vision care plan savings. Limited research suggests redheads may be more likely to be left-handed. The human eye consists of two types of light and color receptors in the retina. Brenda J Bradley, Anja Pedersen, Nicholas I Mundy: Piquet-Thepot M.-M. - Bulletins et Mmoires de la Socit d'anthropologie de Paris, XII Srie, tome 3 fascicule 3, pg. Heterochromia (heterochromia iridum or heterochromia iridis) is an eye condition in which one iris is a different color from the other (complete heterochromia), or where a part of one iris is a different color from the remainder (partial heterochromia or sectoral heterochromia). (2009). Vincent's mission is to create awareness of visual problems and evidence-based solutions shaping the world of ophthalmology. Mood and Emotions Also Shape the Appearance of Hazel Eyes, 13. Increased sensitivity to thermal pain and reduced subcutaneous lidocaine efficacy in redheads. Changes (lightening or darkening) of eye color during early childhood, puberty, pregnancy, and sometimes after serious trauma (like heterochromia) suggest that eyes sometimes change color under certain circumstances, due to chemical reactions or hormonal changes within the body. Green eyes are more evenly dispersed and scatter the light that hits them in a way that looks green to an observer. A number of causes are responsible, including genetic, such as chimerism, Horner's syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome. The incidence of blue eyes continues to decline among American children. The inheritance pattern followed by blue eyes was previously assumed to be a mendelian recessive trait, however, eye color inheritance is now recognized as a polygenic trait, meaning that it is controlled by the interactions of several genes. Melody Huang is an optometrist and freelance health writer. 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. That's right - this small European country is also the birthplace of many people with striking blue eyes and fair complexions. [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. Sturm R.A. & Larsson M., Genetics of human iris colour and patterns, Pigment Cell Melanoma Res, 22:544-562, 2009. Yellowing of the sclera (the "whites of the eyes") is associated with jaundice,[84] and may be symptomatic of liver diseases such as cirrhosis or hepatitis. Hazel eyes also have another dominant pigment known as pheomelanin. Not only are hazel eyes mysterious, theyre unique too. In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails Since brown eyes have a lot of melanin, they have higher levels of P protein. Because of this, the pupillary reflex is much more pronounced in albino individuals, and this can emphasize the red eye effect in photographs. (2016). Whereas people with brown, blue, and green eyes usually only appear to have one color in their iris, people with hazel eyes have several, according to an article in Owlcation.Additionally, as previously stated, having hazel eyes is less about color and more about how color is distributed within the iris.And that can have some significant variation, as there's a lot at play when it comes to how . Gender is a major factor explaining discrepancies in eye colour prediction based on HERC2/OCA2 genotype and the IrisPlex model. Hazel-eyed people tend to have more melanin than people with blue eyes but less than those with brown eyes. Many people believe that hazel eyes are so called due to striking similarities between the eye color and the shell of a hazelnut. The Color Pattern Varies Significantly, 5. For new accounts: Purchase APR is 26.99%. Whats the Difference Between Green and Hazel Eyes? Most hazel eyes look gorgeous with black or blue eye line combined with sparkling yellow eye shadows. Cunningham AL, et al. The first mesmerizing fact to know about hazel eyes is that theyre a combination of multiple colors brown, green, blue, and gray. developed a graded system based on the predominant iris color and the amount of brown or yellow pigment present. Brown eyes are associated with increased and decreased risks of certain eye issues. [8], The genetics and inheritance of eye color in humans is complicated. Taylor also reportedly had a double row of eyelashes, a condition doctors call distichiasis, which helped accentuate her famous eyes. Some people with albinism do appear to have violet eyes, because the blood vessels in the back of their eyes can be seen under certain light conditions. Though anyone can have them, hazel eyes occur most in those whose ancestry is from North Africa, the Middle East, Brazil, and Spain. [35] People with that eye color are found in Spain, Balkan region, Hungary, Italy, Southern Cone, Colombia, Pakistan and Middle East.[36]. What causes green eyes? Igor is a SEO specialist, designer, and freelance writer. [47][48] In Scotland, 29% of people have green eyes. Although a paltry 5% of the worlds population have hazel eyes, hazel isnt the least common eye color. (2008). The true pattern of inheritance of hair color is somewhat more complicated, though, as there are many genes involved. But from 1936 to 1951, that number fell to 33.8 percent. This occurs in humans and certain breeds of domesticated animals and affects less than 1 percent of the world's population. The hazel eye color is primarily due to the combination of a decent amount of melanin and Rayleigh scattering. The providers terms, conditions and policies apply. While blue eyes. There are many other possible reasons for having two different-colored eyes. This occurs in humans and certain breeds of domesticated animals and affects less than 1 percent of the world's population. In people with an activated MC1R, eumelanin can balance pheomelanin, but in redheads, the gene variant prevents that. [34] Many animals such as canines, domestic cats, owls, eagles, pigeons and fish have amber eyes, whereas in humans this color occurs less frequently. As for the combination of the red hair and blue eyes, little research has looked at which sex is more likely to develop this uncommon characteristic combo. 1,3,5 The first experiment is called the "Hawthorne effect after Hawthorne, Illinois, where the experiment took place. People with hazel eyes are said to be graceful and mysterious (in a good way). While blue eyes may be rare, they're among the most common eye colors at birth. While some eyes may look black, they're either just a very dark brown or have large pupils (more on this below). In fact, redheads have some other rare tendencies. Home / Vision Education / Brown Eyes vs. Hazel Eyes: What Makes Them So Special? The term hazel comes from the color of a hazelnut and is recorded describing eyes as early as the 1690s. Cylindrical cells are the photoreceptors of the eye that have a black and white vision and, depending on the amount of light received from the environment, determine the amount of darkness and brightness of objects. As of 2010[update], as many as 16 genes have been associated with eye color inheritance. 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. . Lin BD, et al. However, Caucasian males are more likely to have blue eyes than females, research shows. Finland - 89% However, in some countries, they are common. On the other side, brown eyes may be at a higher risk for developing cataracts. Although hazel mostly consists of brown and green, the dominant color in the eye can either be brown/gold or green. **Your total cost will be based on your individual needs and will be determined with your provider. Hazel-eyed people are also thought to be more sensitive to pain than people with blue or brown eyes. Fixed monthly payments are required until paid in full and will be calculated as follows: on 60-month promotion 2.5339% of initial promo purchase amount. [46], Green eyes are most common in Northern, Western and Central Europe. Even though amber is similar to gold, some people have russet or copper colored amber eyes that are mistaken for hazel, though hazel tends to be duller and contains green with red/gold flecks, as mentioned above. Parents share the blueprint of many features, from hair color to personality, in their genes. The more melanin you have in your iris, the darker your eyes are. Due to the differences, no set of brown or hazel eyes is like those of another person. With brown and hazel eyes, the other colors may appear as rings or flecks of color. [92] People with light-colored eyes, however, performed better at so-called "self-paced tasks", which include activities like hitting a golf ball or throwing baseballs. The majority of the world's population has brown eyes, about 70-80%. [3]:9[6] The result is a "Tyndall blue" structural color that varies with external lighting conditions. Do you have hazel eyes? Is eye color determined by genetics? In some cases, there are shades of gray, blue, and gold within the iris too. That is, one eye may be green and their other eye brown, blue, or another color. Hazel eyes are a mixture of 2 or 3 colors and can look different on each person. When shes not working, Dr. Huang loves reviewing new skin care products, trying interesting food recipes, or hanging with her adopted cats. Some eyes have a dark ring around the iris, called a limbal ring. 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. Donning a red dress might cause your eyes to appear red-hazel. Less common than either of those shades is . [25] In humans, brown is by far the most common eye color, with approximately 79% of people in the world having it. When the eyes have less melanin, they absorb less light. Brown Eyes vs. Hazel Eyes: What Makes Them So Special? Your emotional disposition can momentarily alter the appearance of your hazel eyes. They were present in south Siberia during the Bronze Age. Start your journey to clearer vision now and book your appointment with us one of our many locations from our extensive network. Now, blue and green light waves are characterized by their shorter wavelengths. [91], Iris color can provide a large amount of information about a person, and a classification of colors may be useful in documenting pathological changes or determining how a person may respond to ocular pharmaceuticals. But thats not all. [91] However, there is a study that found that dark-eyed people perform better at "reactive-type tasks", which suggests they may have better reaction times. Why do some people have many friends while others do not? Besides genetic predisposition, iris pigmentation and light dispersion around the iris also play instrumental roles in determining eye color. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. What Percentage of People Have Hazel Eyes? [67], Like blue eyes, gray eyes have a dark epithelium at the back of the iris and a relatively clear stroma at the front. A substance called a P protein works to mature melanosomes. It makes melanin, a substance in your body that produces hair, eye and skin pigmentation. Plus, they may require more anesthetic during surgery or local anesthesia. For the shade of purple, see, "Brown eyes" redirects here. Eye Color Percentage Around the World. People with light-colored eyes are more susceptible to ocular melanoma, also known as eye cancer. [3]:9. We used to think only one gene determined eye color, says Julie Kaplan, M.D., a physician at the Center for Personalized Genetic Healthcare at the Cleveland Clinic. When a person has a child, they can pass their recessive gene information to their offspring, and the trait could win out. Central heterochromia is almost always harmless when . While redheads are born all throughout the world, theyre more likely to crop up in the Northern hemisphere. Trauma and certain medications, such as some prostaglandin analogues, can also cause increased pigmentation in one eye. Two of the common genes are HERC2 and OCA2. DOI: Hannick N. (2018). 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?". (Unique enough, in fact, to give Chris Martin the inspiration that would make Coldplay an overnight success). . In those with milder forms of albinism, the color of the iris is typically blue but can vary from blue to brown. Last medically reviewed on September 18, 2018. In fact, only about 17 percent of the world's population has blue eyes. www.aarp.org/volunteer. Segmental heterochromia. For example, Asians typically have brown eyes, while Europeans are more likely to have eyes of blue or other lighter hues. Well, this shouldnt be a very shocking fact but its worth highlighting anyway. Existing cardholders should see their credit card agreements for their applicable terms. 18. ***No interest will be charged on the promo purchase if you pay it off, in full, within the promo period. Now we'll turn 0.05 into a percent by moving the decimal point two places to the right. [30][31] Amber eyes should not be confused with hazel eyes. [27] Green eyes contain the yellowish pigment lipochrome.[52]. The latest Czech research shows that eye color doesnt have as great an impact on a persons perceived trustworthiness as certain facial features. [50] Among European Americans, green eyes are most common among those of recent Celtic and Germanic ancestry with about 16%. Thats not likely to happen. If one parent is redheaded and the other isnt, the chances their child will have red hair is about 50 percent, though the shade of red may vary greatly. Spectrum of eye color. Like red hair, left-handedness is a recessive trait. The genetics of eye color are so complex that almost any parent-child combination of eye colors can occur. It was created by the anthropologists Rudolf Martin and Bruno K Schultz in the first half of the 20th century. Hazel eyes are more common in North Africa, the. How Often Should You Get Your Eyes Checked? The higher the amount of melanin in the iris and the denser the texture of the melanin, the darker the color of a person's eyes; the same melanin concentration also depends on many factors such as hereditary and environmental ones. But it's nearly impossible . Parents can also be carriers for recessive genes. DOI: How does someone get red hair and blue eyes, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2740987/, pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/are-redheads-with-blue-eyes-really-going-extinct, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1692342/, Why Its Easier to Trust Someone with Brown Eyes, What Are Freckles, Why Do They Appear, and More, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, Your Guide to Gene Therapy: How It Works and What It Treats, Your Guide to Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS), What You Need to Know About Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome, What You Need to Know About Kabuki Syndrome. How does this rare eye color happen? They also tend to be adventurous and risk-takers. He believes that ophthalmic education offered through research has a greater impact among knowledge seekers. In severe forms of albinism, there is no pigment on the back of the iris, and light from inside the eye can pass through the iris to the front. Theyre often used in the movie industry, and can be a fun way to experiment with different eye colors. An eye with less melanin absorbs less light. 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. Although a paltry 5% of the world's population have hazel eyes, hazel isn't the least common eye color. About 16 Genes Account For the Hazel Eye Color, 8. Examples include; David Beckham Former soccer player Angelina Jolie Actress Katie Holmes Actress Ashley Greene Actress Shailene Woodley Actress and model Jennifer Lopez Singer and actress Britney Spears Singer, dancer, and actress Kelly Clarkson Singer Lady Gaga Singer Tyra Banks Television producer and talk show host. Alcohol/Drugs and Allergic Reactions Equally Influence the Intensity and Appearance of Hazel Eyes, 16. [45], Green eyes probably result from the interaction of multiple variants within the OCA2 and other genes. HERC2, for example, is a gene that turns the OCA2 gene on or off as needed. According to statistics from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, less than 5 percent of the world's population has hazel . The required minimum monthly payments may or may not pay off the promo purchase before the end of the promo period, depending on purchase amount, promo length and payment allocation. If one person has both. [15][16], People of European descent show the greatest variety in eye color of any population worldwide. Different variations of it can cause the OCA2 gene to produce less melanin, which leads to lighter-colored eyes. Perhaps its this exquisite combination that makes hazel eyes so gorgeous and rare. Minimum Interest Charge is $2. . In addition, there are two varieties of melanin: The first is called eumelanin. (2018). White hair is characteristic of aging, but colorless hair strands can appear at any age even while you're still in high school or college. Subject to credit approval. Hazel Eyes Isnt the Rarest Eye Color, 19. Throughout the world, 79 percent of people have brown eyes and 5 percent have hazel eyes. Through her writing, Dr. Huang enjoys educating patients on how to lead healthier and happier lives. The following are other personality traits associated with hazel-eyed people; Theyre fun-loving and easy-going Theyve incredible social skills Theyre creative and imaginative Theyre loyal, trustworthy, and reliable Theyre funny and witty. Note:Survey weighted to reflect the United States population at that time. 36 Hazel Eyes Facts and Theories You Might Not Know. In certain types of light, especially low light, hazel eyes can appear to be light brown. We look forward to working with you to determine the best eye surgery or nonsurgical treatment for your individual needs. Various celebrities have hazel eyes, including: While your natural eye color is permanent, that doesnt mean you have to live with it. Cohort effects in a genetically determined trait: Eye colour among US whites. Find what percentage of the choir's members are men. Red hair is the result of a genetic variant that causes the bodys skin cells and hair cells to produce more of one particular type of melanin and less of another. [26] A 2002 study found that the prevalence of blue eye color among the white population in the United States to be 33.8% for those born from 1936 through 1951, compared with 57.4% for those born from 1899 through 1905. Weve just highlighted how significant gene expression is in determining a childs eye color. Normally, there is a thick layer of melanin on the back of the iris. Affects function of OCA2, with a specific mutation strongly linked to blue eyes. Hallie Levine is a contributing writer and an award-winning medical and health reporter. Is hair color determined by genetics? In most people, the back layer has at least some brown pigment in it, even if their eyes don't look brown. 0 Shop NowFind Eye Doctor Conditions Conditions Results found that blue was the most attractive eye color in males, garnering 47 out of 173 total matchesor 27.17 percent. Hazel eyes have a way of taking after the color of a persons clothing. (2009). For example, some 79 percent of the population has brown eyes, while 8 percent has blue. Human eyes come in many colors brown, blue, green, hazel, amber, and even violet or gray eyes. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Transillumination defects can almost always be observed during an eye examination due to lack of iridial pigmentation. This page was last edited on 3 March 2023, at 07:34. That explains why, though theyre risk-takers, they dont just wade into issues headlong. Are People With Hazel Eyes More at Risk for Eye Problems. The iris of your eye is the part that has color. Hazel/amber is the next rarest of these. How light scatters around the iris affects the color patterns among hazel-eyed people. [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. Eye color in non-human animals is regulated differently. Blue eye color in humans may be caused by a perfectly associated founder mutation in a regulatory element located within the HERC2 gene inhibiting OCA2 expression. 15 divided by 300 equals 0.05. Within this region is a DNA segment that controls OCA2 gene activity. Your hair color and eye color come down to what genes you inherit from your parents. Although hazel eyes may contain specks of amber or gold, they usually tend to have many other colors, including green, brown and orange. Simply put, green eyes are incredibly unique. [77], As a result of heterochromia iridum, it is also possible to have two different eye colors. DOI: Mengel-From J, et al. Simply put, green eyes are . Most redheads have a gene mutation in the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R). Green is the rarest eye color in the world. Examples include the color of objects in a room and time of day. [62][63][64], Approximately 8% to 10% of the global population have blue eyes. , Kaplan adds. Besides their unmistakable beauty, hazel eyes may also influence a variety of personality traits. The eyes of some pigeons contain yellow fluorescing pigments known as pteridines. The brown color comes from melanin, a pigment in our eyes that also gives a brown color to hair, skin and other cells. Copyright 2022 VisionCenter.org. Recent advances in ancient DNA technology have revealed some of the history of eye color in Europe. Brown eyes are the most common: Over half the people in the world have them, according to the AAO. Though hair color is influenced by multiple genes, in general, dominant genes win out in a head-to-head matchup against recessive genes. All rights reserved. Adult eye color is usually established between 3 and 6 months of age, though this can be later. The information provided on this page should not be used in place of information provided by a doctor or specialist. The most common eye colors depend largely on geographic location. People who have albinism may not have any pigment in their eyes, so their eye color may be red or pink. Hazel Eyes Can Change Color Depending On Environmental Factors, 12. At this layer with hazel eyes, the presence of green is higher than the presence of brown. [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. [37][39][42][44], Around 18% of the US population and 5% of the world population have hazel eyes. ", Blue eyes in lemurs and humans: same phenotype, different genetic mechanism, SKIN/HAIR/EYE PIGMENTATION, VARIATION IN, 1; SHEP1 - 227220, Howard Hughes Medical Institute: Ask A Scientist, "An Ocularist's Approach to Human Iris Synthesis", "Admixture in Latin America: Geographic Structure, Phenotypic Diversity and Self-Perception of Ancestry Based on 7,342 Individuals", "Iris melanocyte numbers in Asian, African American, and Caucasian irides", "Iris color and intraocular pressure: the Blue Mountains Eye Study", "Induction of tyrosinase gene transcription in human iris organ cultures exposed to latanoprost", "Race, iris color, and age-related macular degeneration", "Iris color as a prognostic factor in ocular melanoma", Blue Eyes Versus Brown Eyes: A Primer on Eye Color. The polymorphisms may be in an OCA2 regulatory sequence, where they may influence the expression of the gene product, which in turn affects pigmentation. [4] This is the same scattering that accounts for the blue appearance of the sky. Most eye color changes have been observed or reported in the Caucasian population with hazel and amber eyes. But it turns out that having hazel eyes is less common than having either blue or brown eyes, as only 5 percent of people have that color in their irises.