As we age, it’s common for our eye color to change from darker shades to lighter ones. This is especially noticeable in people with brown or hazel eyes, as the melanin pigment in the iris starts to fade over time. By your 40s and 50s, you may start to see flecks or patches of grey, blue, green, or gold in your eyes that weren’t there before. So if you’ve looked in the mirror lately and noticed your once-bright eyes looking murkier, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll discuss the factors that cause our eyes to turn grey as we get older, when it’s likely to happen, and if there are any health implications associated with the change.
What causes eyes to turn grey with age?
The colored part of the eye is called the iris, which contains specialized pigment cells called melanocytes. These cells produce melanin, which gives the iris its characteristic color. Eyes that are brown or black have a high concentration of melanin, while blue and green eyes have much less of this pigment.
As we get older, the melanin in the iris gradually decreases for several reasons:
Loss of pigment cells
The number of pigment-producing melanocytes in the iris reduces as we age. With fewer melanocytes, less melanin is produced, causing the eye color to become lighter. The cells may die off naturally or become less effective at making melanin.
Decreased cellular activity
The remaining melanocytes are also less metabolically active as we grow older. This results in a decline in melanin synthesis, also contributing to depigmentation of the iris.
Changes in protein composition
The iris contains specialized light-filtering structures called stroma, composed of collagen fibers and other proteins. Age-related changes to these proteins affect how light is absorbed and reflected, producing a lighter eye color.
Reduced density of iris fibers
The stroma of the iris becomes less dense and compact as the proteins start to break down over time. This results in increased light penetration and scattering, making the iris appear lighter.
When do eyes start turning grey?
The gradual greying of the eyes tends to begin in your 40s, but can start even earlier or later depending on genetics and environmental factors. Here is the approximate timeline:
Early 30s
For people with very dark brown or black eyes, subtle lightening around the pupil may be noticeable in the early 30s. Lighter flecks or streaks of gold, green, gray or amber may start to appear.
Late 30s to early 40s
More distinct patches of lighter colors become visible, especially under bright light. The overall iris color will still appear predominantly brown or dark hazel.
Mid 40s to early 50s
Grey, blue or green hues become much more prominent. In medium or light brown eyes, the greying effect is typically more obvious during this time.
Late 50s and beyond
In the late 50s, the iris can take on a mix of darker and lighter shades, giving a murky, diluted appearance in many people. By the 60s and 70s, some irises may look mostly grey, blue, green or pale yellow.
However, the specific timing varies quite a bit between individuals based on genetics, sun exposure, smoking, and other factors. Some people maintain relatively vibrant eye color well into old age.
Does eye color change affect vision or health?
The natural greying of the eyes as we get older does not directly impair vision or signify any eye disease. Loss of iris pigment by itself will not affect visual acuity, sharpness, need for corrective lenses, risk of eye conditions, or anything else about your eye health.
However, keep in mind that:
– Age-related eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma or macular degeneration can develop independently from changes in eye color. Get regular eye exams to check for any signs of such conditions.
– Decreased pigment makes the eyes more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes from UV exposure, which remains important regardless of iris color.
– Sudden onset of markedly lighter eye color in just one eye could indicate a medical issue like Horner’s syndrome and should be evaluated promptly.
– Some medications like chloroquine and phenothiazines can cause temporary lightening of the iris color as a side effect.
– Severe depigmentation also occurs in certain rare disorders like Waardenburg or Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome. But such extreme, rapid changes are distinct from standard age-related greying.
Can you prevent eyes from turning grey?
Since iris pigment loss is a natural part of aging, there is no way to prevent or reverse the process entirely as we get older. However, some measures may help maintain your natural eye color longer into your senior years:
– Wear sunglasses and hats outdoors to minimize sun exposure. Prolonged UV radiation can accelerate pigment loss.
– Don’t smoke. Smoking is linked to earlier onset of age-related pigment changes.
– Eat eye-healthy diets rich in antioxidants (vitamins A, C and E) and zinc to support iris cell health.
– Check all medications with your doctor. Certain prescriptions like chloroquine can hasten discoloration.
– Monitor for eye diseases like glaucoma that could indirectly impact pigmentation over time if untreated.
– Avoid cosmetic iris implants that surgically introduce artificial color, which carries significant risks.
While these steps may help slow pigment loss, the eyes will still inevitably lighten over the decades. So learning to embrace and appreciate the distinguished character that comes with mature eyes is often the healthiest mindset.
Should you worry about grey eyes?
There is no medical reason to worry about age-related grey eyes themselves, as long as your vision seems otherwise unaffected. Remember that lighter eye color by itself does not imply any illness or defect. Across the globe, millions of older adults have sparkling, beautiful grey eyes as part of the normal aging process.
However, do see an ophthalmologist promptly if you have additional symptoms like:
– Dramatic change in color of only one eye
– Sudden loss of vision or visual field
– Severe light sensitivity, pain, redness
– Seeing flashes, floaters, shadows or halos
– Headache, nausea or dizziness
– Swelling or bulging of the eye
Any of these could indicate a possible underlying medical condition requiring treatment. But in the absence of other issues, try to think of your transforming eye color simply as a mark of distinction and maturity.
Conclusion
As we grow older, fading iris pigment is common and natural. You can expect your brown or hazel eyes to gradually take on more grey, blue, green and gold hues starting in your 40s. This harmless transition is caused by reduced melanin production and changes in the proteins that give color to the eye. While you can’t prevent the process entirely, wearing sunglasses, avoiding smoking, and eating well may help slow pigment loss a little. Remember that transforming eye color by itself won’t affect vision or eye health as you age. And those distinguished grey flecks can be considered badges of wisdom and experience gained from your rich life journey.
