Hazel eyes are a fascinating and unique eye color. They tend to appear as a blend of shades, ranging from brown and green to even gold flecks. But what exactly makes an eye hazel? Here’s a closer look at the qualities and characteristics that define hazel eyes.
The Iris
The colored part of the eye containing melanin pigments is called the iris. Eye color is determined by the amount and type of melanin in the iris.
There are two main types of melanin:
- Eumelanin: A brown/black pigment
- Pheomelanin: A yellow/red pigment
Most eyes contain a mixture of both eumelanin and pheomelanin. Hazel eyes contain a very balanced amount of these two pigments.
Appearance
The mixture of melanin in hazel eyes creates an intriguing, multi-colored appearance. No two pairs of hazel eyes are exactly alike.
Here are some defining features of hazel eyes:
- Multicolored iris with shades of brown, green, gold and orange
- Distinct green ring around pupil
- Darker brown/amber color in center, surrounded by lighter green
- Gold or reddish speckles or streaks
The dominant shade varies between individuals. Brown is typically the primary color, with green concentrated around the pupil.
Lighting Conditions
The look of hazel eyes can shift subtly depending on lighting conditions. Dim lighting causes more brown tones to emerge, while bright lighting brings out the green.
In daylight, the green hues become very pronounced. Brown takes dominance indoors and in shadow.
Eye Chart Patterns
Hazel eyes correspond to certain patterns on eye charts used by ophthalmologists:
| Eye Chart System | Hazel Eye Patterns |
|---|---|
| Seddon | Type 5: Dark brown inner ring, light mixed outer ring |
| Mackey | Type 5M3: Golden-green outer ring, brown center spot |
These standardized systems help classify hazel eyes based on the distribution of color in the iris.
Melanin Concentration
The concentration of melanin pigments in hazel eyes is approximately:
- Eumelanin: 10-30%
- Pheomelanin: 30-50%
This balance between the two types of melanin leads to the blend of brown and green shades that create hazel.
Genetics and Ethnicity
Hazel eyes are genetically linked to two different versions of the OCA2 gene, which controls melanin production.
Ethnic groups with higher rates of hazel eyes:
- White – European ancestry
- Hispanic/Latino
- Middle Eastern
- North African
The mixture of European and North African/Middle Eastern genes can contribute to hazel eye color.
Comparison to Other Eye Colors
It’s helpful to compare hazel eyes to other common eye colors:
- Brown eyes – Very high in eumelanin, low in pheomelanin
- Green eyes – Low in eumelanin, moderate pheomelanin
- Blue eyes – Very low in both kinds of melanin
The balance between brown/green melanin concentrations is what sets hazel eyes apart.
Difference Between Hazel and Amber
Hazel eyes are often confused with amber eyes. But there are subtle differences:
- Hazel – Mix of brown and shades of green/gold
- Amber – Solid golden/light brown color
Amber eyes have a more uniform light brown hue without the color variations seen in hazel.
Rarity
Hazel eyes are relatively uncommon worldwide. Only about 5-10% of the global population has them. Here are estimated hazel eye percentages by geographic region:
| Region | Prevalence |
|---|---|
| United States | 5-10% |
| Europe | 5-10% |
| Middle East | 10-20% |
| Africa | 1-5% |
| Asia | <1% |
The highest rates are seen in the Middle East and parts of Europe. Hazel eyes are rare in East Asia.
Changes with Age
Hazel eyes may darken slightly as people get older. The balance of melanin can shift over time:
- Increase in brown eumelanin
- Decrease in golden pheomelanin
This leads to a subtle darkening with age. However, hazel eyes maintain their multi-colored appearance throughout life.
Conclusion
In summary, hazel eyes are defined by:
- Balanced mixture of melanin pigments
- Multicolored appearance – shades of brown, green, gold
- Green concentric ring around pupil
- Light brown/amber center
- Distinct shift in color between bright and dim lighting
- Rare globally but more common in those of European descent
The unique blend of melanin creates the one-of-a-kind hazel eye color palette. No two pairs of hazel eyes are exactly the same!
