Advantages and Disadvantages, and Why Some People Have Them
Your genes determine whether you have blue eyes.
The top layer, called theepithelium, is where melanin is lodged.
If you have plenty of melanin in the top layer, your eyes will be brown.
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If you lack melanin in the top layer, your eyes will be blue.
Having blue eyes doesn’t mean that your irises are blue.
In fact, in the absence of melanin, your irises are entirely colorless.
The blue color is sparked by the absorption and reflection of different wavelengths of light.
At birth, a baby’s eye may only be temporarily blue.
It can sometimes take up to six months for the gene responsible for producing melanin to activate.
During this time, the baby’s eyes may be blue and later shift to brown.
If the gene doesn’t activate (or only partially activates), the eyes may remain blue.
Genetics of Blue Eyes
Genetics determine what your eye color will be.
If both parents contribute more dominant genes for blue eyes, you are more likely to have blue eyes.
Anything in between may cause lighter or darker shades of blue or even amber- or hazel-colored eyes.
However, the benefits are inconsistent and appear to be different depending on where you live.
The disruption of the normalcircadian (sleep-wake) cyclelargely accounts for the onset of seasonal depression.
People living in the far northern hemisphere are especially vulnerable.
Eye melanoma is known to be more common for those with fair skin and light-colored eyes.
While ocular melanomas may happen at any age, the risk goes up as you get older.
This damage will cause your vision to become blurrier and more distorteda condition calledmacular degeneration.
Summary
Blue eyes are an inherited trait.
They look blue because of how light is reflected.
Having blue eyes has its advantages.
They lower your risk of developing cataracts, for instance.
However, they might increase your risk of certain health problems like eye cancer.
Protecting your eyes and getting regular checkups is important no matter the color of your irises.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Your blue eyes arent really blue.
