Eyes come in a variety of colors and shades. While many people have standard eye colors like blue, brown, or green, some people have more unique eye colors that seem to shift between shades. One eye color that often appears to change between green, grey, and brown shades is known as hazel. But what exactly makes hazel eyes hazel? Are green-grey eyes considered hazel? Let’s take a closer look at what defines hazel eyes.
What are Hazel Eyes?
Hazel eyes are eyes that appear to shift in color from brown to green. They are often described as an eye color that is somewhere between brown and green, and may contain flecks or ribbons of brown and green.
Here are some key things to know about hazel eyes:
| – Contain both brown and green pigmentation |
| – Appear to change between green and brown |
| – Often have a multicolored appearance with flecks of different shades |
| – Make up about 5% of the world’s population |
The varying shades in hazel eyes are caused by a combination of melanin content. Eyes with higher levels of eumelanin will appear darker brown or green, while lower levels appear lighter grey or green. The ratio and density of these pigments in the iris is what creates the many colors and patterns seen in hazel eyes.
What Causes Hazel Eye Color?
Eye color is determined by the amount and type of melanin present in the iris. Hazel eyes contain a combination of the pigments eumelanin (brown/black melanin) and pheomelanin (red/yellow melanin).
Here are the key factors that contribute to hazel eye color:
| – Moderate to low amounts of eumelanin |
| – Low to moderate amounts of pheomelanin |
| – Rayleigh scattering of light waves |
The interplay between these pigments and light scattering results in hazel eyes appearing greenish-brown or goldish-grey. The concentration and distribution of melanin in the iris determines the exact hue and pattern of colors seen.
Are Green-Grey Eyes Considered Hazel?
Eyes that appear light green-grey with subtle brown flecks are generally considered a type of hazel eye color. The greenish grey hue is created by low to moderate eumelanin and a high degree of Rayleigh scattering of light within the iris.
Key features of green-grey hazel eyes:
| – Dominant color is light green or grey |
| – Contains small amounts of gold, brown, or amber |
| – Displays low-moderate eumelanin |
| – Exhibits Rayleigh light scattering effect |
The level of green or grey in this eye color can vary from pale greenish taupe through to dark greyish olive green. But the defining feature is the presence of some brown/gold flecking. This indicates that both eumelanin and pheomelanin are present in the iris, meeting the criteria for hazel eyes.
How Do Green-Grey Eyes Compare to Blue-Grey Eyes?
Blue-grey eyes also exhibit Rayleigh scattering effects that make them appear grey or pale blue. However, they differ from green-grey hazel eyes in melanin content:
| Green-Grey Hazel Eyes | Blue-Grey Eyes |
| – Low-moderate eumelanin | – Very low eumelanin |
| – Low-moderate pheomelanin | – Low pheomelanin |
| – Brown/gold flecks | – No brown/gold |
While blue-grey eyes may also appear light grey or greenish, they lack the brown/gold flecking characteristic of hazel eyes. The very low eumelanin content is what creates the blue-grey tone.
Characteristics of People with Green-Grey Hazel Eyes
People with hazel eyes make up about 5-8% of the world’s population. Here are some interesting traits and facts about those with green-grey hazel eyes:
| – Often of European descent |
| – Sensitive to sunlight/UV rays |
| – May have improved night vision |
| – Eye color can appear to change with lighting |
| – Often mistaken for blue eyes |
The light-scattering nature of green-grey hazel eyes makes them particularly sensitive to lighting conditions. Their eye color may look grey under cloudy skies but greener in sunlight. The rayleigh effect also improves hazel-eyed individuals’ low light vision.
How Rare are Green-Grey Hazel Eyes?
Green-grey hazel eyes fall on the rarer end of the eye color spectrum. Exact estimates vary, but generally:
| – Hazel eyes: 5-8% of population |
| – Green-hazel eyes: 1-2% of population |
| – Green-grey hazel eyes: |
So green-grey hazel eyes are found in less than 1% of people globally. This eye color is particularly uncommon in non-European ethnicities. The largest concentrations are found in northern and eastern European countries.
Famous People with Green-Grey Hazel Eyes
Although rare, green-grey hazel eyes are seen among many celebrities and public figures. Some famous people with this eye color include:
| – Cillian Murphy |
| – Robert Pattinson |
| – Adrien Brody |
| – Simon Baker |
| – F. Scott Fitzgerald |
| – Demi Moore |
| – Amanda Seyfried |
Next time you spot light green-grey eyes with brown spots, you’ll know they are a special type of hazel!
Conclusion
In summary, green-grey eyes fall under the hazel eye umbrella due to the combination of eumelanin and pheomelanin present. The light greenish grey appearance is caused by moderate melanin with substantial Rayleigh light scattering. Distinguishing features from blue-grey eyes are the brown and gold speckles in the iris. This special hazel eye shade is quite rare globally but can be seen among many Hollywood celebrities. So if you ever get the chance to gaze into greenish grey hazel eyes, appreciate their rarity and beauty!