Why Are Blue Eyes so Attractive? 12 Cool Facts to Explore

What do you know about your blue eyes? Representing 8-10% of the global population, scientists believe all blue-eyed individuals share a common ancestor with a genetic mutation reducing iris melanin.

Predicting a newborn's eye color is tricky, even if both parents have blue eyes, thanks to the complexities of genetic inheritance. And here's a fun twist: even if your eyes aren't naturally blue, you can rock dreamy blue eyes with a pair of blue colored contacts!

For more fascinating facts about blue eyes and those who have them, keep reading.

1. How Rare Are Blue Eyes?

Are blue eyes rare? What percentage of people in the world have blue eyes? Well, although blue is not the rarest eye color, it is still relatively uncommon. Only 8-10% of the world's population have blue eyes.

The prevalence of blue eyes varies significantly across countries. For instance, in the US, approximately 27% of the population has blue eyes, whereas 45% have brown eyes. In the UK, blue is the most common eye color, accounting for 42.8% of the population.

2. Where Are Blue Eyes Found Common?

Blue eyes are commonly found in northern and eastern Europe, with a prevalence around the Baltic Sea. Additionally, they can also be seen in southern Europe, Central Asia, South Asia, North Africa, West Asia and North America.

3. Where Do Blue Eyes Come From?

Blue eyes were first found in northern Europe about 6,000 and 10,000 years ago and likely originated as a mutation of brown eyes.

Research suggests that this genetic mutation occurred around 6,000 to 10,000 years ago in an individual from the Black Sea region in northern Europe. The mutation essentially disables the iris's ability to produce melanin, resulting in the distinctive blue color.

4. Are Blue Eyes Recessive?

It was once thought that blue eyes followed a Mendelian recessive trait, it's now understood that eye color inheritance is more complex.

It's recognized as a polygenic trait, influenced by the interactions of multiple genes. Evidence suggests that up to 16 different genes could play a role in determining eye color in humans.

5. How Are Blue Eyes Inherited? Is It Predictable?

Predicting a child's eye color, including blue eyes, used to be thought of as a straightforward genetic trait based on the parents' and grandparents' eye colors. However, recent understanding by geneticists reveals that up to 16 different genes influence eye color, and the anatomical structure of the iris plays a role too.

In essence, it's impossible to be certain about a child's eye color, even if both parents have blue eyes. The outcome is not guaranteed, making eye color prediction more complex than previously believed.

6. What Causes Blue Eyes?

Blue eyes don't actually contain blue pigment. The color of eyes, just like skin and hair, comes from melanin. Melanin is a natural pigment, and the more of it in the iris, the darker the eye color.

For blue eyes, it's the phenomenon of Rayleigh scattering that makes them appear blue. The absence of pigment in the front layer of the iris causes light to scatter and absorb longer wavelengths, making more blue light visible and giving the illusion of blue eyes.

7. Are All Babies Brown with Blue Eyes?

Not every baby is born with blue eyes. Research indicates that more babies are born with brown eyes than blue.

A study from 2016 revealed that 63% of newborns have brown eyes, while only around 20% have blue eyes. Babies can also be born with other eye colors like grey, green, hazel, indeterminate, and partially heterochromic.

8. Blue-Eyed Newborns May Have Darker Eye Color Over Time

Blue eyes are common in babies because they are born with less pigment. However, as the child grows, melanin develops, leading to a change in eye color during early childhood.

9. There Are Different Types of Blue Eyes

The color of your eyes depends on how much melanin your body produces. Melanin is made by skin cells called melanocytes, and everyone's melanocytes generate different amounts of pigment. Other factors, such as genes, lighting conditions, and rayleigh scattering, can also play a role in the different shades of blue eyes you might see.

🧊 Ice Blue Eyes

Ice blue eyes typically have a cool, almost silvery tint. The color can be vivid and intense, resembling the clarity of ice or a pale, clear sky.

👶🏻 Baby Blue Eyes

Baby blue eyes are often softer and lighter in tone. They might resemble the clear blue sky during the day, with a gentle and delicate quality.

🔎 Light Blue Eyes

Light blue eyes fall somewhere between ice blue and baby blue. They are not as intense as ice blue but still brighter than a typical baby blue, often presenting a clear and mild blue shade.

💙 Dark Blue Eyes

Dark blue is a rich and deep shade, often leaning towards navy or midnight blue. It has a profound and intense coloration, resembling the night sky.

🌊 Ocean Blue Eyes

Ocean blue is typically a lighter and more vibrant shade. It often carries hints of green or turquoise, reminiscent of the colors found in ocean waters. This hue is brighter and may evoke the clear, tropical waters of a serene ocean.

10. Are Blue Eyes More Sensitive to Light?

Yes, blue eyes are more sensitive to light. This is because they have less pigmentation in multiple layers of the eye compared to darker brown eyes. Due to this, blue eyes struggle to block the effects of bright lights, such as sunlight and fluorescent lights.

To minimize light sensitivity symptoms, it's advisable to avoid prolonged exposure to harsh lighting and to wear UV-blocking sunglasses or wide-brimmed hats when outside.

11. Blue Contacts Make Your Eyes Look Blue Temporarily

Blue eyes are universally admired. In a recent survey on eye color, 47.6% of respondents expressed a preference for blue eyes. With blue colored contact lenses, you can temporarily change your eye color to this coveted shade.

TTDeye offers a range of natural blue color contacts, catering to various shades from light to dark, ideal for everyday use. Check out our top sellers below, all designed for reuse within one year.

👁️ Daisy Blue Contacts | 1 Year >

👁️ Iris Grey-Blue II Contacts | 1 Year >

👁️ Immersing Blue Contacts | 1 Year >

12. The Best Colored Contacts That Work on Blue Eyes Include Green, Grey, Purple and Brown

If you've got blue eyes and fancy a change, colored contact lenses are a great option. The top choices for blue eyes are green, grey, purple and brown lenses. Check out the most popular ones for blue-eyed folks at TTDEYE — your options are right here for picking!

👁️ Trinity Green Contacts | 1 Year >

👁️ Polar Lights Grey Contacts | 1 Year >

👁️ Egypt Purple Contacts | 1 Year >

👁️ Taylor Brown Contacts | 1 Year >

Final Words

All eye colors are pretty and embrace the beauty of every eye color with TTDEYE!

Transform your gaze effortlessly with our diverse range of color contacts and circle lenses, available in various shades and stylish designs. Shop at TTDeye for a natural, comfortable, and safe way to redefine your eye color anytime you desire!