What Causes Green Eyes: Rareness, Beauty, and More

Ever wondered why some people have green eyes? It's not as simple as you might think.

Eye color is a complex trait influenced by multiple genes, and green eyes sit in a fascinating middle ground between blue and brown. Let’s discuss more about this rare and beautiful eye color.

Why Do Some People Have Green Eyes?

Eye color is typically caused by the level of melanin pigmentation in the iris, but it can be somewhat complicated. As many as 16 genes influence the amount of melanin the iris produces.

These genes interact in complex ways, making it impossible to predict the color of a baby’s eyes. Melanin absorbs light, so irises with high amounts of melanin appear darker. 

Green eyes appear green because reflected light mixes with low levels of melanin in the iris, not because they contain green pigment. 

What Do Green Eyes Look Like?

How Rare Are Green Eyes?

Unlike brown eyes, green eyes are quite rare. Only 2% of the population has naturally green eyes.

This trait is typically found among people from northern and central Europe. European Americans with Germanic and Celtic ancestry comprise 16% of all green-eyed people.

However, that doesn’t mean they can’t appear in other parts of the world. Liqian, a remote village in Western China, is known for its high percentage of people with green eyes.

What Makes Green Eyes Fascinating?

Green eyes are particularly interesting because they sit in the middle of the spectrum between blue and brown. They have less melanin than brown eyes but more than blue eyes. 

Unlike other eye colors, green eyes don’t appear in children right away. They develop over six months to three years.

Additionally, because green eyes have less melanin, they’re more vulnerable to UV damage from the sun. If you have green eyes, consider wearing sunglasses when going out.

How to Get Green Eyes?

Unfortunately, we’re stuck with our natural eye color. If you want green eyes, try getting non-prescription colored contact lenses.

These lenses are also called cosmetic, decorative, or costume lenses. You’ll have to talk to a doctor about getting colored contacts first because they’re illegal without a prescription.