Genetics– The amount of melanin in the iris will decrease over time, just as hair color changes as we age, and can vary due to genetic determination.
However, eye color changes can also occur as a person ages. Those with lighter color eyes – especially Caucasians – may see their eyes lighten over time. The pigment slow degrades over time, resulting in less color. Since melanin plays a role in eye color, exposure to the sun can lead to eye color changes.
The top layer of the iris — or stroma — contains melanocyte cells which make granules of the brownish pigment melanin. The more pigment is produced, the darker the eye colour. However, over time the number of these pigment-making cells can start to dwindle, and the ones that are left also produce less pigment.
In as much as 15 percent of the white population (or people who tend to have lighter eye colors), eye color changes with age. People who had deep brown eyes during their youth and adulthood may experience a lightening of their eye pigment as they enter middle age, giving them hazel eyes.
The chromosomes a child inherits carry genetic information that determines eye color. Differences in the copies received from each parent causes variations in the amount of melanin produced. A region on chromosome 15 has a big part in determining eye color.
More harmful UV light can pass through lighter colored irises, increasing your risk for developing cataracts and macular degeneration.
Just as in your skin changing with the sun, eyes become darker, or even develop freckles. Genetics– The amount of melanin in the iris will decrease over time, just as hair color changes as we age, and can vary due to genetic determination.
Eye color is the result of variations in the amount of melanin, a pigment found in the front part of the iris of the eye. The lack of this pigment results in blue eyes, some pigment gives green and lots of pigment gives brown eyes. So light brown eyes just have a bit less melanin than darker brown eyes.
Green, yellow, orange, and red hues also show off the beauty of brown eyes. And bold colors that pop are a safe bet. Green and purple brighten up light brown eyes.
Weakening of the muscle that supports the upper eyelid can make the eyelids droop. This may limit vision. The outer surface of the eye (cornea) may develop a grayish-white ring. The colored portion of the eye (iris) loses pigment, making most very older people appear to have gray or light blue eyes.
Widely known for having the most striking eyes in Hollywood, Taylor had what appeared to be rare, natural purple irises.
"Eyes may look smaller as we age because the lids get heavier and sag and [bags may appear]," says Laura. "Plus, the loss of color and fullness in the lashes reduces the contrast that makes eyes look alert."
In old age, changes to the eye may include the following: Yellowing or browning of the lens caused by many years of exposure to ultraviolet light, wind, and dust. Thinning of the conjunctiva.
Changes in eye color are rare. Sometimes, the color of your eye may appear to change when your pupils dilate. The colors in your environment, including lighting and your clothes, can give the illusion of eye color change.
Causes of dull eyes
As we get older we tend to lose collagen around our eyes, which can make the skin darker and more wrinkled. This is a completely natural process and needn't be a cause for concern. The menopause, or other times where hormonal balances dramatically change, can also cause eyes to appear dull.
Light brown shades are most often seen in West Asia, Europe and the Americas.
Between 55% to 79% of people have brown eyes with dark brown eyes being most prominent in Africa, East Asia, and South East Asia. Light brown eyes are most common in West Asia, America and Europe. Green eyes affect around 2% of people worldwide; however, they make up 86% of the population in Ireland and Scotland.
This is because they are able to show a wide range of emotions, from happiness to sadness. People are attracted to brown-eyed people because of this exact expressiveness. Additionally, brown eyes exude mystery, which intrigues people.
To much surprise, it's not just babies' eyes that change color. Adults can, too. About 10-15 percent of Caucasian people (mostly those with light eyes) have eyes that change color in later life. Light brown eyes can get lighter and look hazel, whereas hazel eyes can get darker.
People with brown eyes tend to be at lower risk for eye cancer, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. An additional benefit of brown eyes is that the higher melanin levels may protect the brain's nerves from damage due to noise.
Some people are even born with the eye color that they will have their entire life. For a small percentage of people, their eyes actually can change color. With age, eyes can naturally become either darker or lighter.
We found that green is the most popular lens colour, with brown coming in a close second, despite it being one of the most common eye colours. Although blue and hazel are seen as the most attractive eye colours for men and women they are surprisingly the least popular.
When broken down by gender, men ranked gray, blue, and green eyes as the most attractive, while women said they were most attracted to green, hazel, and gray eyes. Despite brown eyes ranking at the bottom of our perceived attraction scale, approximately 79% of the world's population sports melanin-rich brown eyes.
Green is considered by some to be the actual rarest eye color in the world, though others would say it's been dethroned by red, violet, and grey eyes. Green eyes don't possess a lot of melanin, which creates a Rayleigh scattering effect: Light gets reflected and scattered by the eyes instead of absorbed by pigment.