HOW IS EYE COLOR DEVELOPED
Eyes Change Colors: The iris has a pigment that determines the color of our eyes. Eye color mostly depends on the genetic trait i.e. the baby has the same color as of its parents. However, genes can mix and results in different ways.
Normally brown eyes are referred to as “dominant” whereas blue eyes as “recessive”. Studies have shown that eye color does not simply depend on the genes because the genes can give you numerous results because each parent has two pairs of genes on the chromosome and these multiple possibilities exist. A child can have a completely different eye color if both the parent has different eye colors whereas if the parents have the same eye color it is more likely that the child will also have that same eye color.
In some cases babies are born with HETEROCHROMIA – in this, the irises do not match in color. It is caused due to genetic disorder or faulty development of the pigment present in the iris. Some other causes can be diffuse nevus of the iris.
REASONS YOUR EYES MIGHT CHANGE COLOR
It is very uncommon to wonder that our eyes can change its color. But as we know our iris contracts when exposed to bright light and expands in dim light. When the size of the iris changes the pigments present in this also spreads out or gets compressed causing a slight change in the color of our eyes. However, this is not the only reason for the eyes to change its color there are many more:
AGE
Babies are generally born with light-colored eyes such as blue or grey but as their eyes get darker. This happens because our eye color is determined by the parent’s genes and the melanin level on your body. As you grow the melanin level increases around the pupil resulting in darker eyes.
EXPOSURE TO SUN
Too much exposure to sunlight can make our eyes look darker because it changes the production of melanin around the iris.
EMOTIONS
Our emotions can also change our eye color because it changes the size of the pupil. When you are happy, angry, or sad hormones are released in the body that changes the size of the pupil. It is found that when you are happy your eyes change color into a more vibrant color whereas when you are crying your eyes get reddish and brighter.
CLOTHING AND MAKEUP
It is just a perception that clothes and makeup change our eye color because when we wear dark-colored cloth and the same color eye makeup our eyes look more vibrant and brighter.
DIET
The food we consume has a great effect on our eyes. Some examples are:
FISH- it increases the eye color strength, the change can be permanent.
ONIONS – regular intake of onion can change the eye and skin color.
NUTS- nuts can give you lighter color eyes. Roasted nuts do not have any effects since their nutrients are destroyed when exposed to high temperatures.
Eye color can also be changed due to some disease or abnormal function in your eyes. If you face any problem like inflammation or itching in eyes or extreme change in eye color it is advised to get a medical eye examination done.
HOW TO CHANGE THE EYE COLOR?
TEMPORARILY CHANGING THE EYE COLOR
The most common method to change your eye color temporarily is by wearing contact lenses. Colored contact lens comes in different ways:
OPAQUE: these are solid and non- transparent, resulting in a complete color change. The most popular colors that are available in opaque contact lenses are blue, grey, brown, green, or violet.
ENHANCEMENT: these are transparent and it boots up your natural eye color. They help to define the edges of your iris and add intensity to your eye color. For example, if you have jade green eyes these lenses will enhance the color and will give you emerald eyes.
VISIBILITY: these lenses do not change your eye color; they have faint flecks of blue or green color that slightly gives you a different eye color.
However, there are some lenses namely decorative lenses used for fashion accessories which can be harmful to your eyes. If you buy decorative lenses without the prescription you might get defective or unsanitary lenses. The risks involved in these lenses are:
- Blurry vision
- Itchy and burning eyes
- Increase of production of water in the eyes
- Scratch in the cornea i.e. corneal abrasion
- Blindness
- Redness in the eye
- Severe eye pain
Contact a doctor immediately if you have any of the mentioned symptoms. An untreated symptom leads to severe infection that might result in blindness.
PERMANENTLY CHANGING THE EYE COLOR
There is a surgery named iris implant surgery which was originally used to treat traumatic eye injuries and medical conditions. However, it is also used to change the eye color permanently. In this, the doctor cuts a small part in cornea and inserts artificial iris, folded to fit into the slit. Then they unfold the artificial iris underneath the cornea so that it gives a natural look of your eyes. Nowadays this surgery is more famous for a cosmetic reason rather than a medical reason.
According to the doctors, people who go through this surgery for cosmetic reasons might experience some kind of complications including:
- Slight vision loss
- Cataracts, as the clear lens becomes clouded
- Cornea injury
- Swelling in the cornea
- Eye inflammation, redness, and pain
Cosmetic surgery is new and there are not enough researches done on it till now. There is little evidence that this surgery is safe and effective. Therefore, it is advised to talk to the doctor about this surgery and understand all the terms and conditions about it before going through the surgery
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