What eye color is the rarest? Only 1% of the world's population has it

What is the rarest eye color in the world?

Green eyes have long been a symbol of rare beauty, as only about 2% of people on the planet can boast this color. But modern scientific discoveries challenge this assertion. The new rare favorite has become gray eyes.

Gray eye color was previously considered merely a shade of blue, but recent research has changed the perception of this coloring. Scientists have delved deeper into the characteristics of iris shades, and now gray is highlighted as a distinct, unique color that deserves the status of the rarest.

According to scientists, brown eye color predominates in the world, possessed by 55 to 79% of people. Blue eyes come in second, comprising 8-10% of the population. In the US, this shade is more common, found in 27% of people, while hazel is present in 18%.

Gray eyes, which have recently begun to be regarded as a separate shade, are considered the rarest—held by less than 1% of the world's population. Previously classified as a variant of blue, scientists have now established that the differences are linked to how the iris with low melanin interacts with light.

Black is not an eye color. Some eyes may appear black, but in reality, they are dark brown or have large pupils.

What determines eye color?

Eye color is determined by a combination of genes that influence the pigmentation of the iris. This makes each shade unique, creating an unparalleled range of colors among people.

The genes associated with the formation of pigments - melanin, eumelanin, and pheomelanin - dictate the color of the skin, hair, and eyes. Eye color reflects a unique combination and concentration of pigments in the iris.

The more melanin present, the darker the eye color; the less melanin, the lighter the color. Different types of melanin determine the color not only of the eyes but also of everything else.

Eumelanin is a black-brown pigment responsible for dark eyes, hair, and skin.

Pheomelanin is a yellow-red pigment that gives green or amber eyes, red hair, and freckles.

People living farther from the equator usually have lighter eyes and skin. In warmer latitudes, closer to the equator, dark eyes and skin are most common.

Eye color and health

A rare eye color or overall appearance may seem special and distinctive. It can go beyond appearance, as eye color may be associated with certain health advantages or problems.

One study showed that women with light eyes tolerate pain better during pregnancy than women with dark eyes.

Another study indicated that people with dark eyes may have a lower risk of hearing loss not related to age.

Lighter eye colors are associated with an increased risk of macular degeneration, which causes loss of central vision, as well as ocular melanoma (cancer in or around the eye).

Eye color can change in adulthood. Sometimes this is linked to certain diseases, medication, or injury.

For example, if a person who does not have gray eyes starts to develop them, it may be a result of cataracts, which is a clouding of the lens of the eye.

Brown freckles may appear on the iris with age, usually due to sun exposure.

Fuchs Heterochromic Iridocyclitis may lighten eye color and lead to serious vision problems.

What is the most attractive eye color?

A survey of over 60,000 people produced interesting results. People consider green eyes the most attractive.

• Green - 20.3%
• Light blue - 16.9%
• Hazel - 16%
• Dark blue - 15.2%
• Gray - 10.9%
• Honey - 7.9%
• Brown - 5.9%

Check out also 5 foods that can improve your eyesight.