Why Are Brown Eyes Most Common? - NewView Eye Center (2024)


Ever found yourself wondering just why brown eyes are so common?

As it turns out, there’s a reason why most people have brown eyes; in fact, it’s estimated that more than 50% of the world’s population has brown eyes. If you think this number’s big, consider this: all humans used to have brown eyes, until an ancestor with a genetic mutation developed what we now know as blue, green, and hazel eyes. Thanks to this mutation, we now have a variety of eye colors on the planet.

Why Are Brown Eyes Most Common? - NewView Eye Center (1)

There’s a lot more cool info about brown eyes and why they happen. Consider busting out these fun facts during your next trivia night – your friends will be amazed!

  • Brown eyes are far more common in people who live in warmer climates. This is because excess melanin (which causes the brown colors of the iris) protects the eyes from sunlight. Since warmer climates tend to have more sunlight, this means that brown eyes are more common in cultures near the equator.
  • On the other hand, blue, green, and hazel eyes happen when the iris has less melanin. This characteristic is more common in people who live in colder climates, as they may not get as much sunlight.
  • People with brown eyes are less likely to develop certain eye disorders, like age-related macular disease. Interestingly, scientists are at a loss to explain why that might be. Of course, having brown eyes isn’t an ultimate protection against disease and poor vision; you’ll still need to visit your ophthalmologist.

Want to keep your eyes protected now, no matter the color – for years to come? Schedule a consultation with ophthalmologist Dr. Jacqueline Griffiths at NewView Eye Center in Reston, VA today. 703-834-9777

NewView Eye Center serves the greater Washington, DC metro area.

Why Are Brown Eyes Most Common? - NewView Eye Center (2024)

FAQs

Why Are Brown Eyes Most Common? - NewView Eye Center? ›

This is because excess melanin (which causes the brown colors of the iris) protects the eyes from sunlight. Since warmer climates tend to have more sunlight, this means that brown eyes are more common in cultures near the equator. On the other hand, blue, green, and hazel eyes happen when the iris has less melanin.

Why is brown the most common eye color? ›

The amount of melanin in your iris determines your eye color. The less melanin you have in your eyes, the lighter they'll be. Brown eyes have the most melanin and are the most common worldwide.

Why are brown eyes the most dominant? ›

The bey2 gene has one allele for brown eyes and one for blue eyes. The allele for brown eyes is the most dominant allele and is always dominant over the other two alleles and the allele for green eyes is always dominant over the allele for blue eyes, which is always recessive.

Why do people find brown eyes attractive? ›

Lastly, brown eyes are often said to be very expressive. 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.

Where do brown eyes originate? ›

Eye color is directly related to the amount of melanin in the front layers of the iris. People with brown eyes have a large amount of melanin in the iris, while people with blue eyes have much less of this pigment. A particular region on chromosome 15 plays a major role in eye color.

What is the healthiest eye color? ›

Brown Eyes Are Associated With Few if Any Health Risks

“In general, everyone should make sure to wear 100 percent UV-blocking sunglasses when outdoors to minimize their chances of developing cataracts and other eye diseases,” Abugo advises.

Which eye color is most attractive? ›

One thing these survey results have in common is that light-colored eyes — green, gray, blue, and hazel — are named as the most attractive eye colors in the world. In one large survey of more than 66,000 people, green was chosen as the most attractive eye color. Green is also among the rarest eye colors.

What are the benefits of brown eyes? ›

They Are Less Prone to Certain Eye Diseases

The sun can cause severe eye damage and result in eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration. But because brown eyes have more melanin, it's safe to say that if you have brown eyes, you are less likely to get these types of eye diseases.

What is the rarest eye color? ›

Gray: The Rarest Eye Color

With this change, gray now tops the list as the rarest eye color. Gray eyes may contain just enough melanin in the front layer to dim the blue wavelengths of light that are reflected back by the tissue of the eye. Dark gray eyes have a bit more melanin in the front layer than pale gray eyes.

What is the personality of someone with brown eyes? ›

If you have light or even medium brown eyes then you are a fun loving, caring and easy-going soul. You are a polite person and very independent indeed who loves making new friends. You are a very grounded person and do not care about worldly possessions. You will go out of your way to help those in need.

How special are brown eyes? ›

If you have brown eyes, you'll be happy to know they have been associated with some health benefits. People with brown eyes may be less vulnerable to certain diseases. For example, people with brown eyes appear less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration than people with light-colored eyes.

Why do brown eyes look more trustworthy? ›

In conclusion, brown-eyed individuals tend to be perceived as more trustworthy than blue-eyed ones within a population with variable eye color, but it is not brown eyes that cause this perception. It is the facial morphology linked to brown eyes.

Do men prefer blue or brown eyes? ›

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.

What is your ancestry if you have brown eyes? ›

Light brown eyes are most common in the Americas, West Asia, and Europe, while dark brown eyes are most frequently found in Africa, Southeast Asia, and East Asia.

What do brown eyes symbolize? ›

Melanin acts as an insulator for the electric connections to the brain, so, in hindsight people with darker coloured eyes can use their minds faster. As a result of this speed advantage, brown/black eyed people have better reaction times. Darker eyes are seen by others as intelligent, kind and most trustworthy.

Why does almost everyone have brown eyes? ›

This is because excess melanin (which causes the brown colors of the iris) protects the eyes from sunlight. Since warmer climates tend to have more sunlight, this means that brown eyes are more common in cultures near the equator. On the other hand, blue, green, and hazel eyes happen when the iris has less melanin.

What is unique about brown eyes? ›

For example, people with brown eyes appear less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration than people with light-colored eyes. Also, people with brown eyes have a lower risk of type 1 diabetes and melanoma of the eye, compared with individuals with light blue eyes.

Is brown the default eye color? ›

Dark brown eyes are dominant in humans. In many parts of the world, it is nearly the only iris color present.

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