Brown was also the first eye color in human beings, with the rest coming later as genetic mutations. The gene groupings that cause your eye to have more melanin are the most common, which is why brown is the most common eye color. The actual pigment that gives the eye color is called melanin, which darkens your eye color. Even among people with the “same” eye color, such as blue, these genes can create subtle differences that mean your eye color is as unique as your fingerprints. Melanin is a type of pigment.Ī person’s eye color is actually an expression of dozens of genes (over 60, according to one study). Most of the genes that determine eye color are associated with melanin production. Genetics are responsible for your eye color. But we now know it is much more complicated than this. The common misconception, once believed as fact by scientists, is that eye color was determined by one gene that expressed as brown (a dominant gene) or blue (a recessive gene). Many people believe eye color is determined solely by a single gene, even having been taught as much in school. Two exceptions are albinism, which can cause a person to be significantly sensitive to light, and heterochromia, which is sometimes a sign of more serious health conditions.

Overall, it is likely that eye color usually has minimal impact on a person’s health. While some mild health benefits and detriments have been linked to eye color, more research is needed.

Acnl eye colorguide