Hazel eyes are a unique blend of green and brown shades that can fascinate anyone who looks at them. We discussed the mystery of hazel eyes, which are formed by the combination of many different factors, in a wide range of subjects, starting from their genetic origins to their perception in society.
When you learn how many individuals have hazel eye color, which is a part of the genetic mosaic, you will feel more valuable if you also have hazel eyes. So, let’s look at the scientific facts underneath the gaze, shall we?
All the facts about hazel eye color:
- Its most fascinating feature is its interaction with light.
- Hazel eyes may be more sensitive to light.
- Why the sky is blue and why the eyes are hazel can be explained with the same principle.
- The pain threshold of women with hazel eyes may be lower than other colors.
- People with hazel eyes are generally more determined.
- How is hazel eye color formed?
- How many people have hazel eyes?
- Other prominent features about hazel eyes
Its most fascinating feature is its interaction with light.
Perhaps the most fascinating feature of hazel eyes is their interaction with light. This interaction reveals the variable and multidimensional nature of hazel eye color. When the angle and intensity of light changes, the color of hazel eyes may change accordingly. So how does this interaction happen?
When light hits the iris of the eye, it is reflected in different ways depending on the density and distribution of melanin pigments. Since the distribution of melanin in hazel eyes is not homogeneous, light can reveal different color tones. This is also one of the things that sometimes causes hazel eyes to change from green to brown and sometimes even golden tones.
Hazel eyes may be more sensitive to light.
People with hazel eye color may be more sensitive to sunlight because they often have less melanin pigment. This means that it provides less protection against the harmful effects of sunlight.
Since exposure to UV rays may increase the risk of developing cataracts, individuals with hazel eye color should use sunglasses and pay extra attention to eye health.
Why the sky is blue and why the eyes are hazel can be explained with the same principle.
A phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering also plays a role in the perception of hazel eye color. This scattering is what explains why the sky looks blue. Sunlight interacts with small molecules in the sky and scatters blue light. Similarly, in hazel eyes, areas containing little melanin can cause blue and green tones to become more prominent. Therefore, hazel eyes can appear different colors in different lighting conditions.
The pain threshold of women with hazel eyes may be lower than other colors.
A study focusing on healthy women during and after birth; It showed that the tolerance of light-colored, healthy and pregnant women was higher. Among the women, 24 of whom had brown or hazel eyes and 34 of whom had green and blue eyes, an increase in pain levels was observed in those with dark eyes.
Of course, this is a fairly small study, but it’s clear that more work is needed.
Individuals with hazel eyes are generally more determined.
A survey conducted by CyberPulse, a unit of Impulse Research Corporation in Los Angeles, looked at personality traits compared to eye color. The survey, in which 1,016 women between the ages of 16 and 35 participated, also included common character traits of people with hazel eyes.
Hazel eyes; It is found in individuals who are creative, determined, love adventure and trying new things, and often have unlimited inner vitality. People who take risks, think deeply, are brave in the face of difficulties, are aware of their own limits and are responsible, had hazel eyes. An important selfish streak was also among the characteristics of people with hazel eyes.
How is hazel eye color formed?
Deep in genetic diversity, hazel eyes vary depending on the distribution and size of the pigment called melanin in the eye. The basic pigment melanin, which is found in the iris layer of the eye and determines the color, contains much more than just pigment in hazel eyes.
The genetic structure that determines a person’s eye color is quite complex. While eye color was once thought to be an example of easy inheritance, contemporary genetic research has revealed that it is a multifactorial trait influenced by many genes.
In particular, OCA2 and HERC2 genes have valuable roles in this process. These genes determine the intensity and tone of eye color by directly affecting melanin production. Hazel eye color is generally characterized by the combination of green and brown colors.
For example, melanin is quite heavy in the front layer of brown eyes, while in hazel eyes, the presence of green in this layer is greater than the presence of brown.
How many people have hazel eyes?
Genetic variation is another reason why hazel eye color is rare. While hazel is more common especially in some ethnic groups, it is quite rare worldwide. The fact that approximately 5 percent of the world’s population has hazel eyes makes this color even more attractive. Hazel eyes are most commonly found in people of Middle Eastern, North African, Spanish and Brazilian descent.
Other features that stand out about hazel eyes:
- Hazel is said to be named after the hazelnut shell, but in the TDK dictionary, it is defined as light chestnut color.
- About three-quarters of hazel eyes are surrounded by a dark brown ring. The middle is more golden, green and brown.
- There are 4 different types of hazel eyes depending on the color mixture. It is also mentioned together with brown, green, gray and blue.
- Since it is a popular color, hazel colored contact lenses attract a lot of attention.
- In a survey about the most attractive eyes, hazel ranked second among the most popular eye colors. Green was in first place.
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Jocelyn Clements