Why are my eyes green? Or better yet, why do they change colors from www.personal.psu.edu

Different Types of Eye Colors

What are the Different Eye Colors?

Eye color is a genetic trait that is determined by the amount and type of pigments in the eye's iris. While many people think that only blue and brown eye colors are possible, there are actually a variety of eye colors that can appear in humans. These colors range from very light shades of blue, green, and gray to deep shades of brown, hazel, and amber.

Types of Eye Colors

The most common eye colors are blue, green, brown, and hazel. However, there are a variety of other eye colors that can appear in humans, including gray, amber, and red. These less common eye colors are determined by the amount and type of pigments in the iris.

Blue Eyes

Blue eyes are the most common eye color and are the result of the absence of melanin in the iris. Blue eyes can range from very light shades of blue to deep shades of blue. While blue eyes are most common in people of European descent, they can also appear in people of African, Asian, and Middle Eastern descent.

Green Eyes

Green eyes are the second most common eye color and are the result of a combination of melanin and Rayleigh scattering of light. Green eyes can range from light shades of green to deep emerald green. Green eyes are most common in people of European, African, and Middle Eastern descent.

Brown Eyes

Brown eyes are the most common eye color among people of African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian descent. Brown eyes are the result of large amounts of melanin in the iris. Brown eyes can range from light shades of brown to deep shades of brown.

Hazel Eyes

Hazel eyes are a combination of many shades, including green, brown, and gold. Hazel eyes are the result of a combination of melanin and Rayleigh scattering of light. Hazel eyes can range from light shades of green to deep shades of brown.

Gray Eyes

Gray eyes are the result of a very small amount of melanin in the iris. Gray eyes can range from light shades of gray to deep shades of gray. While gray eyes are most common in people of European descent, they can also appear in people of African, Asian, and Middle Eastern descent.

Amber Eyes

Amber eyes are a combination of many shades, including yellow, orange, and gold. Amber eyes are the result of a combination of melanin and Rayleigh scattering of light. Amber eyes can range from light shades of yellow to deep shades of brown.

Red Eyes

Red eyes are the rarest eye color and are the result of a mutation in the MC1R gene. Red eyes can range from light shades of red to deep shades of red. Red eyes are most common in people of European descent, but they can also appear in people of African, Asian, and Middle Eastern descent.