Your Eye Color Is More Meaningful Than You Ever Realized

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Ever wondered what your eye color really means? It's probably more than you ever realized. The shade of our peepers opens up a whole world of information about ourselves, including how attractive we're considered around the world. Of course, why we stay attracted to someone over time is highly personal and based on factors way deeper than the colorful rings on our eyeballs. However, a 2019 report from Ipsos determined U.S. respondents felt most immediately drawn to people with blue eyes, suggesting they're widely regarded as the most attractive in the States

Don't feel too blue if you don't have got blue irises, because not all research into eye color significance is quite so vain. There have been masses of intriguing studies done to discover if the shade of our peepers could have a bigger significance in our lives, and our health, than ever expected. From the probability of being diagnosed with certain types of cancer, to how we're affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder, to how much pain we may feel during childbirth, this is what the shade of our irises can tell us about ourselves.

Eye color could be an indicator of our likelihood of developing certain types of cancer. People with lighter eyes (think greens, grays, and light blues) are more at risk of eye melanoma than the brown-eyed population. More extensive research needs to be conducted to find out exactly why, but the discrepancy may be related to brown eyes containing more melanin, which can offer more protection against UV rays.

Research has also been conducted to discover potential links between eye color and other types of cancer. A 2022 study of over 35,000 men found lighter-eyed men may be at higher risk of developing skin cancer than men with darker eyes. It claimed men with green or hazel eyes were 24% more likely to be diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma at some point in their life, and 16% more at risk of basal cell carcinoma than those with brown irises. 

That may be linked to people with lighter eyes having less melanin in the eyes and skin, though the study did not find any connection between eye color and melanoma. But, again, more research (specifically to see if the same trend is found in women) is needed to verify potential links. And as always, one of the best ways to lower your risk of skin cancer is to avoid tanning and slather on the sunscreen.

Another health issue our eye color may be able to warn us about is our susceptibility to different forms of endometriosis. A 2022 study aimed to discover if there's a link between eye color and ureteral endometriosis, where endometriosis cysts develop in the ureter. It found people with green eyes and naturally blond or light brown hair may be more at risk of ureteral endometriosis than those with darker hair and darker eyes. 

Similarly, a study conducted eight years earlier of more than 200 women with deep endometriosis found they had a higher than normal proportion of blue eyes. Deep endometriosis refers to when endometriosis is discovered in locations such as the bladder or bowel. But, like other eye color studies, more detailed research is needed to determine the true extent to which lighter eyes can be linked to endometriosis. Thankfully, as research continues to uncover possible causes and links, there are plenty of celebs advocating for more adequate endometriosis care.

If you've ever found yourself seriously struggling to see on brighter days, you may be able to blame your eye color. The technical name for sensitivity to light is photophobia, and, as ophthalmologist Anupama Horne told Duke Health, it tends to affect people with light eyes more than those with dark. Why? 

Because, when compared to people with brown eyes, blue-, green- and gray-eyed people don't have the same amount of pigmentation in the eye to protect them from the harshness of lights. So more light makes it through to the back of the eye, causing discomfort. In brown eyes, the darker pigment helps block out the light rays. That means light-eyed people tend to squint more, whereas people with dark eyes are more likely to be able to handle the excess brightness.

Of course, one of the easiest ways to minimize photophobia is to throw on baseball cap or a pair of sunglasses with UV protection. Just don't forget to find the perfect sunglass silhouette for your face shape first. Light eyes or not, though, if you're experiencing regular photophobia that impacts your daily activities, you should see an eye doctor to ensure there's not a more serious underlying cause.

Around 11 million Americans experience seasonal depression, known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), each year, according to WebMD. The disorder usually takes hold in winter and can disrupt sleep patterns, affect a person's mood, and cause feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Interestingly though, a 2018 study conducted by the University of South Wales found it can affect people with brown eyes (which are more significant than you might think) more severely than those with lighter irises.

"Eyes with lower pigment, like blue or gray eyes, are more sensitive to light. This means they don't need to absorb as much as brown or dark eyes before this information reaches the retinal cells. This could potentially impact on melatonin production, a hormone associated with sleep and mood regulation," consultant ophthalmic surgeon Ali Mearza told Express. "Light-eyed individuals, with their increased light sensitivity, may experience reduced melatonin release during the fall and winter, which could offer some protection against SAD," Mearza added. But, again, more research needs to be done to determine the true extent of this potential link and what really causes SAD.

Our eye color may make a difference to how we're perceived by others, according to esoteric color expert Inbaal Honigman. "Blue eyes invoke the water element. It'll make us think of the seaside, of romance and of faith. People with [these] color eyes will be emotional and spiritual," Honigman told Express. Honigman claimed those with green eyes are more likely to be perceived as smart with strong communication skills. "When seeing the color green, we're immediately drawn to reading, long conversations and nights out," they said. 

When discussing those with brown eyes (which over half the world's population have), Honigman shared, "Others will feel a sense of security when looking into brown eyes, letting them know you're a trustworthy and reliable person." But those aren't the only adjectives linked to brown eyes. 1-800 Contacts surveyed 1,000 people (via Ladders) to find out how they perceived iris hues. Respondents used terms like "kind" and "patient" to describe people with brown eyes, while hazel-eyed people were called "determined" and "unpredictable."

Those with blue eyes were deemed "confident" and "affectionate," while anyone with green eyes was perceived as "adventurous" and "mysterious." Gray-eyed people were seen to be "intelligent" and "serious." Perception of eye color could also change depending on our sex. A 2010 study found men with brown eyes were generally perceived as being more dominant than their blue-eyed counterparts, perhaps due to associated facial features. However, it found eye color had no affect on how dominant women were assumed to be.

Think you're slower to react? It could have something to do with your eye color. In the book "Eye Color: A Key to Human and Animal Behavior," Morgan Worthy observed differences between light- and dark-eyed people who played sports that needed quick reaction skills and ones that didn't. Though his research didn't find a significant difference between eye color and reaction ability in every instance, he noted, "Every time a significant difference was found, it was in the same direction — dark eyes were associated with reactive performance and light eyes with nonreactive performance." 

Similarly, a 2013 study looked at the reaction times of brown-eyed people versus blue-eyed people through various tests. It found brown-eyed participants typically responded faster than their lighter-eyed counterparts. As with most scientific eye color studies, though, more work needs to be done to determine any true link, because there's contradictory research out there. A 1992 study found no link between a person's eye shade and their reactive ability. A 1980 study yielded similar results, determining, "There were no eye color differences for any of the reflex time measures."

It's well-known that the eyes, nose, and throat are linked. What's not so well-known is the potential relationship between our eye hue and certain types of hearing loss (and we're not talking about the toxic kind where your partner purposefully doesn't listen to you). A 2014 review of existing studies found that, although eye color didn't appear to make any difference to hearing loss for those not exposed to loud noises, "It is possible that dark-eyed individuals, with greater inner ear melanin content, are better protected against noise-induced hearing loss." 

What makes brown eyes brown is their higher melanin content, and this research suggests more melanin in the eye could also mean more melanin in the inner ear, which could play a part preventing hearing loss due to internal damage. But, as with most eye color studies, there's more to be done to determine a definitive link. So if you have brown eyes, don't rely on that alone to protect your hearing. To keep your ears safe, wear earplugs or ear defenders in loud environments and listen to music at a safe volume (anything 85 decibels or above is potentially damaging).

Our eye color could hold clues about if we'll develop different types of cataracts – one the most common causes of blindness. Cataracts can also have a less serious impact on our vision, potentially causing blurry sight, double vision, and/or sensitivity to light, so it's no surprise research into the condition is widespread. A 2000 Australian study found brown-eyed people may be more at risk of nuclear cataracts (the most common type, which affect the center of the lens) or posterior subcapsular cataracts (which affect the back of the lens) when compared to their light-eyed counterparts. 

However, more research needs to be conducted into why that's the case, as there could be several other explanations. A 2019 review of existing research shows cataracts are, in part, genetic, and can be inherited just like eye color. UV rays could also contribute to cataracts developing. Historically, people with brown eyes tend to be born and live closer to the equator, where UV rays can be stronger due to the warmer weather. Therefore, more melanin is needed in their eyes and skin to protect them from the sun. 

Could there be a correlation between our eye color and our relationship with alcohol? A potential link was identified in a 2001 study of over 10,000 prison inmates. It found light-eyed inmates were more likely to consume or become addicted to alcohol: 42% of those with blue, green, or gray irises had experienced alcohol use disorder, as opposed to 38% of dark-eyed (i.e. brown or dark hazel) participants. 

A 2015 study sought to test the theory. It doubled-down on the possibility of a correlation between blue eyes and "alcohol dependence," but called for further, more detailed research to be done before drawing definitive conclusions. "This suggests an intriguing possibility that eye color can be useful in the clinic for alcohol dependence diagnosis," the study's co-author Arvis Sulovari, a doctoral student in cellular, molecular, and biological sciences at the University of Vermont, said (via Health Day).

There could be bad news for people with blue eyes, because research suggests they might be more at risk of Type 1 diabetes. A 2011 Italian study of 281 people aimed to discover if eye and skin color is connected to the autoimmune condition. Interestingly, it concluded having blue eyes and lighter skin could potentially be a risk factor. A 1990 study of 55 people with Type 1 diabetes put forth a similar suggestion, claiming, "The highest risk for the development of diabetes was seen in subjects who had low-pigment eye color and/or increased UV-light sensitivity." The study also determined less pigment in the skin was a risk factor.

Until more research is done to draw definite conclusions, you shouldn't rely on your eye shade to determine if you have Type 1 diabetes. Plenty of green-, gray-, amber-, hazel, and brown-eyed people are diagnosed with the condition, so look out for proven symptoms. According to NHS, they most commonly include needing the bathroom more, feeling unusually tired or thirsty, or experiencing rapid weight loss. If you notice any of these symptoms, see a doctor.

Our eye color could also be a determining factor in the likelihood of developing vitiligo, a condition where the skin loses pigment, resulting in lighter patches appearing around the body. The condition can be found in around 1% of the world's population, though few are born with it. Vitiligo usually manifests before the person turns 20. There's much more to vitiligo than you may know though, including research suggesting those with blue, green, or hazel eyes are less likely to be diagnosed than those with brown peepers.

A 2012 study of 3,000 Americans with vitiligo found 27% had blue or gray eyes, and 30% had either green or hazel. The most common eye color amongst respondents was darker, with 43% of participants having tan or brown eyes. But that's disproportionate to the average number of people with those eye colors in the general population, as 52% have either blue or gray eyes. Like a lot of research into the meaning of eye color, further studies are still needed to make solid links.

We all have different pain thresholds, but we never considered our eye color could indicate how much pain we feel while giving birth. That's what a 2014 study of women in labor suggested though, as it compared how light-eyed moms and dark-eyed moms reacted to the undeniably painful experience. It found those with darker eyes tended to report feeling higher levels of pain and anxiety. 

The study's co-conductor Inna Belfer admitted a larger sample size (only 58 women took part) was needed to get a true understanding of the role eye color may play. "We can't get compelling evidence for our findings, but we do feel that our study has revealed patterns that warrant further studies," Belfer said (via Anesthesia Experts). Belfer also claimed anesthesiology professionals at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine had drawn conclusions based on eye color, noting, "They said that looking in the eyes of their patients tells them if they can expect more or less trouble during the procedures and they can tell who will develop more severe pain or who will respond differently to anesthesia and analgesia."

It's worth noting though that not every scientific study has reported the same findings when measuring different thresholds of pain in women. A 2018 study discovered no difference between how light-eyed women and dark-eyed women reported pain when having a dental anesthetic administered. So for now, take the link between eye shade and pain thresholds with a pinch of salt.