blue eyes

Blue eyes

12 March 2025 / 0 Comments

Blue is perhaps one of the most captivating eye colours in the world. Ranging from deep sapphire to brilliant light blue, this eye colour is found in a range of stunning shades, making it a fascinating feature for many people.

Read on to discover how rare blue eyes are, what causes this eye colour, and other interesting blue eyes facts.

How rare is blue eye colour?

While blue is the second-most common eye colour worldwide after brown, it’s still relatively rare. Experts estimate that only 8% to 10% of people have blue eyes. 

Here’s a look at eye colour percentages around the globe:

  • Brown eyes – 70% to 80%
  • Blue eyes – 8% to 10%
  • Hazel eyes – 5%
  • Amber eyes – 5%
  • Grey eyes – 3%
  • Green eyes – 2%

Although blue-coloured eyes can be found in populations around the world, they’re most commonly seen in regions around the Baltic Sea, especially in Eastern and Northern Europe.

Experts think that people with blue eye colour share a common ancestor who lived thousands of years ago. This person was likely born with a genetic mutation that resulted in blue eyes and was then passed down through the following generations.

What causes blue eyes?

Eye colour refers to the appearance of the iris, the round band of colour surrounding the black pupil at the centre of the eye. Your eye colour is determined by your genetics and the presence of melanin in your body.

Interestingly, blue irises don’t actually contain any blue pigment. Rather, they appear blue because of the way light interacts with the iris.

Genetics

Scientists have discovered that many genes can influence your eye colour. Previously, it was believed that brown eyes were a dominant genetic trait, while blue eyes were recessive. However, current research shows that eye colour inheritance is far more complicated than this.

Melanin

Melanin is a type of pigment that affects the colour of your skin, hair, and eyes. Generally, the more melanin present in your body, the darker your features will be.

Your eye colour is determined by the amount, type, and distribution of melanin in your irises. The iris consists of two main layers:

  • The stroma (the front layer) – This is where your eye colour appears. The amount of melanin in this layer determines your eye colour.
  • The pigment epithelium (the back layer) – This layer always contains some amount of brown pigment, regardless of your eye colour.

Eye colour varies based on the melanin levels in the stroma. People with light eyes have little to no melanin in this front layer, while those with dark eyes (like brown) have more melanin. 

Blue eyes, for example, have no melanin in the stroma. This absence of pigment causes the light entering the eye to scatter. As a result, more blue light is reflected out, giving the eyes their blue appearance.

Are there different types of blue eyes?

Blue irises are found in a range of shades and intensity, from a light, pale blue to a darker, almost violet hue. Some blue-eyed people may even have a combination of colours, such as grey-blue or blue-hazel eyes.

Are babies born with blue eyes?

You may have heard the myth that all babies are born with blue eyes. While many babies — especially those of Caucasian and non-Hispanic descent — are born with blue eyes, this isn’t always the case. At birth, babies typically have little pigment in their irises, which can give their eyes a blue appearance.

Over the first few months of life, more pigment develops in the irises as melanin production increases. This can cause a child’s eye colour to change as they grow older. 

Eye colour usually stabilises after about 12 months, but it may continue to change throughout early childhood. A child’s eye colour typically settles by age 6.

Side effects and benefits of blue eyes

Apart from their attractive appearance, blue eyes can be associated with certain health side effects and benefits, including:

Light sensitivity

People with light-coloured or blue eyes are often more sensitive to light than those with dark eyes. This condition, called photophobia, can sometimes result from having a lower amount of melanin in the irises. Melanin helps block harsh light rays from sources like the sun and artificial lighting. So, the less melanin you have, the more photosensitive your eyes may be.

Health factors and risks

Some research studies suggest that having blue eyes may increase the risk of developing certain eye conditions, including:

  • Macular degeneration – A disease that affects the macula (the centre of the retina) and can lead to central vision loss.
  • Eye melanoma – A rare type of cancer, also called ocular melanoma, that develops in the uvea (the middle portion of the eye).

Your eye care professional can assess your personal risk levels and suggest the best ways to protect your eyes and vision.

Wearing sunglasses with 100% UVA-UVB lens protection can help reduce the risk of developing some eye conditions associated with UV damage, including macular degeneration. The tinted lenses may also provide relief if you experience light sensitivity.

Health benefits

Blue eyes may offer some protective benefits and potentially reduce the risk of developing the following health issues:

Cataracts

People with blue eye colour may have a lower chance of developing cataracts. This is a common age-related eye problem in which the natural crystalline lens becomes clouded, affecting vision.

Seasonal affective disorder

Those with blue eyes may be less likely to experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This form of depression can result from reduced light exposure during the winter months. SAD is more common in the far northern regions of the world.

Celebrities with blue eyes 

Many movie stars are known for their brilliant blue eye colour. A few famous faces that share this striking feature include:

  • Daniel Radcliffe
  • Cate Blanchett
  • Daniel Craig
  • Sienna Miller
  • Hugh Grant
  • Geri Halliwell
  • Jude Law
  • Benedict Cumberbatch
  • Cameron Diaz
  • Bradley Cooper
  • Meryl Streep

Can I change my eye colour to blue?

If you weren’t born with baby blues, coloured contact lenses offer a temporary way to achieve this look as you can choose pretty much any coloured lens you wish. If you were looking for blue contact lenses then please browse our range of blue contact lenses. These lenses come in a variety of hues designed to enhance or completely change the appearance of your natural eye colour.

Keep in mind that all contact lenses require a prescription, including those purely used for cosmetic purposes. Your eye care professional can help determine the best contact lenses for your needs.

To learn more about contact lenses, book an eye test and contact lens check at Vision Express, our trusted partner in eye care.

SOURCES:

 

  1. The world’s population by eye color. WorldAtlas. January 2023.
  2. Your blue eyes aren’t really blue. EyeSmart. American Academy of Ophthalmology. June 2023.
  3. How eye color develops and why it changes. All About Vision. March 2019.
  4. Is eye color determined by genetics? MedlinePlus. National Library of Medicine. July 2022.
  5. 20 eye and vision myths. EyeSmart. American Academy of Ophthalmology. July 2024.
  6. Myth or fact: Blue eyes are more sensitive to light. Duke Health. Duke University Health System. July 2021.
  7. Facts about blue eyes. Verywell Health. May 2024.
  8. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Moorfields Eye Hospital. NHS Foundation Trust. Accessed September 2024.
  9. How eye melanoma is diagnosed and treated. Verywell Health. March 2024.