Blue Eyes Sensitive To Light
People with blue or light eyes tend to be more sensitive to light. This is because blue eyes, especially light blue eyes, have less pigment in the iris, making them more translucent. This can cause blue-eyed people to be more susceptible to glare and sunlight, leading to light sensitivity. Blue eyes may also water more in bright light as they are more sensitive.
While lighter-colored eyes may be more sensitive to sunlight, they are not necessarily more sensitive to vision. In fact, blue eyes have better visual acuity than brown eyes. This means that blue-eyed people can see small details more clearly.
Light Eyes and Sneezing
If you have light eyes, you may even find that you are a “sun sneezer”! “Sun sneezing” is a condition that triggers a sneeze when people are exposed to bright lights. It actually affects an estimated 18-35 percent of the population!
Sun and Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration is more common in Caucasians than African Americans, as eyes with less pigment allow more light in the eye. But, studies show people with dark brown eyes are subject to a greater risk of developing cataracts. Protecting your eyes from damage from direct sunlight can lower this risk, though.
Sunglasses for Blue Eyes and Light Sensitivity
If nothing else, your eye color could give you an excuse to buy a new pair of shades for those bright, sunny days. It may seem like a small thing, but lighter-colored eyes are more sensitive to light than other eye colors, and taking steps to protect your eyes from overexposure could help prevent vision problems down the road. So go ahead and get those shades you want! We suggest UV lenses for any pair of sunglasses that you choose. To learn more about the best sunglasses to choose, click here!
Light Eyes and Eye Color Myths
Eye color is not immune from myths and mystery. One legend states a person with light blue eyes sees heaven and brown eyes see earth — so someone with one brown and one blue eye can see both. It’s also been speculated that those with blue eyes have rich imaginations while people with hazel eyes are passionate, green eyes indicate sharp minds and brown eyes indicate people who are calm with an underlying passion.
Science, of course, shows little interest in myths but has found that eye color can tell you a thing or two about a person.
Eye Color Pigment
Eye color is created by melanin, which also dictates skin color. The more melanin in your iris, which is the colored area surrounding the pupil, the darker your eye color will be. Lighter-skinned babies are born with no melanin and thus have blue eyes, until about three years of age when their eyes darken to their permanent color, and typically babies born with darker skin are also born with dark brown eyes. More melanin also means better protection from the sun– the pigment in your eyes literally protects your retina.
Light eyes such as blue, green, or grey are more sensitive to sunlight. Most people with these colored eyes are sensitive to the sudden light, such as walking out of a dark hallway on a sunny day. But, if you find yourself needing to wear sunglasses even indoors, it might be a sign of a more serious condition. If you are struggling with extreme light sensitivity, make an appointment to see your eye doctor.
Where did blue eyes originate?
While many people assume that blue eyes are a relatively rare trait, studies show that they are actually quite common. In fact, it is estimated that approximately 65% of the world’s population has blue eyes. This higher prevalence can likely be attributed to the fact that people with blue eyes share a common ancestor, who lived near the Black Sea region some 10,000 years ago. Genetic variants for blue eyes have also been passed on through migration and intermarriage, helping to make this eye color one of the most popular in the world today. So if you have blue eyes yourself, you can take comfort in knowing that you’re not alone!
FAQs
Generally speaking, patients with lighter color irises, such as blue or gray, experience more light sensitivity than someone with brown eyes. The density of pigment in light eyes is less than that of a darker colored iris. When light hits a dark-colored iris, the higher density in pigment blocks the light rays.
Can people with dark eyes be sensitive to light? ›
People who have light-colored eyes are at a slightly higher risk of experiencing light sensitivity than people with darker eyes, especially dark brown eyes. This is because the melatonin in eye color can protect against some ultraviolet (UV) light and reduce how impactful bright light can be on the retina.
Are our eyes sensitive to blue? ›
Answer: Blue and especially blue-violet light has very high energy due to the short wavelength and thus the potential to cause eye damage. This is especially true for the retina where the light is bundled and interacts.
Do people with blue eyes feel less pain? ›
There was about a 55% reduction in pain during movement among the dark-eyed women, compared with a 40% reduction in pain among the light-eyed patients (P=0.28).
Why does snow hurt blue eyes? ›
Eye color can also affect your susceptibility to snow blindness; people with blue, green and light brown colored eyes are more vulnerable to photokeratitis. More than half of Americans have light-colored eyes, making snow blindness a significant public health issue.
What eye color is most sensitive? ›
Generally speaking, patients with lighter color irises, such as blue or gray, experience more light sensitivity than someone with brown eyes. The density of pigment in light eyes is less than that of a darker colored iris. When light hits a dark-colored iris, the higher density in pigment blocks the light rays.
Are blue-eyed people more sensitive to light? ›
Blue eyes contain much less of this pigment in the front layer of the iris, the coloured part of the eye. Because there's less pigment, the eyes are more sensitive to sunlight and bright artificial lighting. Having lighter-coloured eyes is a potential cause of light sensitivity, also known as photophobia.
What color are human eyes least sensitive to? ›
The measurement of the light wave is in wavelength. The figure 1 shows the relationship between eye sensitivity and colour wavelength and colour luminosity. From figure 1, green proves to be the most sensitive to our eyes while red and violet proves to be the least.
What eye color is the most attractive? ›
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.
Which eye color is healthiest? ›
Studies show that in a loud environment, brown-eyed people have less hearing loss than people whose eyes have a blue hue. It's believed to be because brown-eyed folks have more melanin (the pigment that gives your skin, hair, and eyes their color) in their eyes and ears.
D., associate professor of anesthesiology at the University of Pittsburgh, found that healthy, pregnant women with light-colored eyes had a higher tolerance for pain than those with brown or hazel eyes.
Are there cons to having blue eyes? ›
Having blue eyes has its advantages. They lower your risk of developing cataracts, for instance. However, they might increase your risk of certain health problems like eye cancer. Protecting your eyes and getting regular checkups is important no matter the color of your irises.
Which eye color has the best vision? ›
While lighter-colored eyes may be more sensitive to sunlight, they are not necessarily more sensitive to vision. In fact, blue eyes have better visual acuity than brown eyes. This means that blue-eyed people can see small details more clearly.
Why are blue eyes so attractive? ›
"Our culture often idolizes a 'blond-haired, blue-eyed' person; this has been emphasized in movies and the media for decades," she tells mbg. "As such, the 'fun' and 'sexy' aspects attributed to a blue-eyed person are certainly a result of the heavy media influences."
What color eyes see better in the dark? ›
People with blue eyes may have better sight in dim conditions than those with brown eyes, according to LJMU research reported in New Scientist. The theory could explain why the colour has persisted in certain populations, for example in Northern Europe where skies are darker.
Is it normal for a black eye to be sensitive to light? ›
See an eye specialist (an ophthalmologist) promptly if: You have unusual sensitivity to light or other vision changes that don't go away quickly. The pain and swelling don't stop after a few days. You have pus, redness, or warmth near the injured area.
Why are my eyes so sensitive to light in the dark? ›
What are the most common causes of photophobia? There are several conditions associated with photophobia. Many of them are ocular (eye-related), while others are associated with your nervous system (neurologic causes). Certain medications can also contribute to having an abnormal sensitivity to light.
Can people with brown eyes see better in the sun? ›
Those with darker colored eyes experience less visual discomfort in bright, sunny conditions. Also, darker irises reflect less light within the eye, reducing susceptibility to glare and improving contrast discernment—so people with darker eyes may have better vision in high-glare situations, such as driving at night.
What eye color is sensitive to sunlight? ›
Light eyes such as blue, green, or grey are more sensitive to sunlight. Most people with these colored eyes are sensitive to the sudden light, such as walking out of a dark hallway on a sunny day. But, if you find yourself needing to wear sunglasses even indoors, it might be a sign of a more serious condition.
