{"id":12900,"date":"2024-07-11T07:27:26","date_gmt":"2024-07-11T11:27:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eyebuydirect.com\/blog\/?p=12900"},"modified":"2024-08-01T03:24:47","modified_gmt":"2024-08-01T07:24:47","slug":"grey-eyes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eyebuydirect.com\/blog\/grey-eyes\/","title":{"rendered":"What Causes Grey Eyes & How Common They Are"},"content":{"rendered":"

Grey eyes are one of the most unique eye colors in the world. Their hues range from pale to smoky and steely to grey-blue and grey-green. With captivating shades across the spectrum, grey is one of the least common but perhaps the most enchanting of all eye colors.<\/span><\/p>\n

When we talk about eye color, we\u2019re referring to the <\/span>iris<\/span><\/i> \u2014 the colored portion of the eye surrounding the dark black center (pupil). While there may be varying shades of a specific hue, no two people have the same exact eye color.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read on to learn more about grey eyes, how many people have them, and the factors responsible for their appearance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

What Causes <\/span>Grey<\/span> Eyes?<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Grey<\/span> eye color, and eye color in general, is <\/span>largely influenced<\/span> by genetics. But <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> also the result of substances in the body called melanin and collagen.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Melanin in <\/span>Grey<\/span> Eyes<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Melanin is a pigment that determines the color of your hair, skin, and eyes. The more melanin you have, the darker your features generally are. Eye color results from the amount, type, and distribution of melanin in the iris, which has two distinct layers.<\/span><\/p>\n

The front layer of the iris (the stroma) is where your eye color appears. The back layer (pigment epithelium) contains brown pigment. In all eye colors, melanin is typically present in both layers of the iris \u2014 just in different amounts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most eye colors have a fair amount of melanin in the back layer of the iris.<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to the front layer, grey and other light-colored eyes have little to no melanin, while darker eyes (such as brown) have more. This helps create the eye color you see when looking at the iris.<\/span><\/p>\n

Collagen in the Eyes<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

The front layer of the iris also contains collagen. Collagen is a protein in the body that acts as a scaffolding system, providing structure to various tissues.<\/span><\/p>\n

Light reflects off the collagen fibers in the front layer, producing a haze or cloud. This cloud helps give a grey, green, or blue color to a light-colored iris.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grey eyes tend to have more collagen than other eye colors, lending to their unique appearance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other Factors That Influence Eye Color<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Lighting, eye makeup, and clothing can affect the appearance of grey eyes and other eye colors. This is due to an optical illusion rather than an <\/span>actual<\/span><\/i> change in color.<\/span><\/p>\n

Changes in the size of your pupil, such as when it dilates (gets bigger), can also give the illusion of a change in eye color. Your pupils may dilate if your mood changes, you move to a more dimly lit environment, or take certain medications (among other causes).<\/span><\/p>\n

But aging, certain medications, and some health conditions can <\/span>alter <\/span><\/i>your eye color. Be sure to consult your eye doctor if you notice a change in your eye color. It may be caused by an eye condition or other concern that needs to be checked out.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How Rare Are <\/span>Grey<\/span> Eyes?<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Grey is one of the rarest eye colors in the world. While not as uncommon as other hues, such as red or violet eyes, grey eyes are still rarer than colors like brown, blue, and hazel.<\/span><\/p>\n

This eye color is more prevalent in certain parts of the world, particularly in the Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia. Additionally, the Algerian Shawia people in Northwestern Africa have a higher incidence of grey eyes compared to other populations.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Percentage of People Have <\/span>Grey<\/span> Eyes?<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Estimating the exact number of people with grey eye color can be challenging. But experts believe that about 3% of the world\u2019s population has grey eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how grey stacks up to other eye colors across the globe:<\/span><\/p>\n