Have you ever wondered why some people have blue eyes, others green, and most brown? The mystery of eye colour lies in genetics, melanin, and the way light interacts with the iris.
Genetics and Melanin in Eye Colour
Eye colour is not determined by a single gene but by several genes working together. The main factor is melanin, the pigment that also gives colour to skin and hair. More melanin means darker brown eyes, moderate levels create hazel or green, while low melanin results in blue eyes. Many babies are born with light eyes, which may darken as melanin production increases in early childhood.
Light Reflection and Eye Colour Variations
Blue eyes don’t actually have blue pigment. Instead, the colour comes from the scattering of light in a low-melanin iris, much like how the sky appears blue. This unique play of light explains why eye colours can look different under sunlight, shade, or artificial lighting.
So, your eye colour is more than appearance—it’s a fascinating story of genetics, pigmentation, and physics. Explore the science of eye colour—how genetics, melanin, and light create blue, green, hazel, or brown eyes.