What is Melanin and how does it affect eye color?

The amount of melanin determines the Color of your eyes. Eye Color is proportional to the quantity of melanin in the iris’s outer segments. Eye color is determined by the amount of a pigment termed melanin contained in the iris’s anterior sections, the framework encircling the pupil. Humans with brown eyes have a high concentration of melanin in the eye, whereas those with blue eyes have a significantly lower concentration. The greater quantity of melanin in the eye makes the eye darker. However, there is no blue pigmentation in blue eyes. Blue eye colors disperse light so that more blue light is reflected back into the surrounding environment. People with blue eyes lack pigment in this stratum, causing the fibers to disperse and take in more wavelengths of incoming light. Much more blue light is reflected, and the eyes appear blue.

Segments of the iris of individuals with green or hazel eyes contain translucent brown pigmentation. The brown pigment interacts with blue light to produce a green or mottled appearance in the eye. Numerous individuals have irises of differing colors, often with one color near the aperture and another near the iris’s periphery. This variation occurs when various portions of the iris contain varying quantities of pigment.

Eye color does not substantially affect visual acuity, but it can affect visual comfort in certain circumstances.

Melanin functions as a free radical stabilizer and can absorb near-infrared, visible, and ultraviolet radiation. Multiple layers of pigmented tissues containing melanin compose the eye. Melanin shields cells from oxidative stress-related damage. The material is effective at inhibiting cytotoxic lipid peroxidation and regulating unstable radicals. Therefore, melanin reduces the cytotoxicity of light and defends against the cytotoxic effects of inflammation. Melanin has the capability to absorb all forms of infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light.

Melanocytes are the cells that produce the brown pigment melanin. Melanin is produced by melanocytes to shield us from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, and it can be present in our eyes, the epidermis, and the hair. If you have blue eyes, your eyes do not literally contain blue pigment. Rather, blue eyes contain less of the brown pigmentation melanin, which absorbs light, so more light reflects backward out of the eye and looks blue.

Types of Melanin and Pigmentation

Eye color differs based on the amount of melanin contained in these compartments. In individuals with blue eyes, a limited number of melanosomes contain a negligible level of melanin. Humans with green eyes have a modest quantity of melanin and a small percentage of melanosomes, whereas those with brown eyes have a significant quantity of melanin contained in a large number of melanosomes.
In the iris, there are two forms of melanin: eumelanin, which generates a dark brown color, and pheomelanin, which generates various shades of amber, green, or hazel. In contrast, blue eyes derive their color from containing a small amount of eumelanin. The pigment is actually not blue, but because of how light distributes around the iris’s anterior layer, it appears blue.

An imbalance of both types of melanin at sufficiently low concentrations to cause some light dispersion results in green eyes. Because hazel eyes contain sufficient melanin, they do not experience the light scattering effect. Lack of melanin results in red and “violet” eyes (extremely uncommon), which either reveal the color of the underlying blood vessels or combine with the light scattering effect to produce violet.

Over half of the world’s population has brown eyes, making it the most common eye color. A few brown eyes are so darkly pigmented that they can appear black. Green, blue, hazel, grey, and even amber are additional different eye colors.

Can the quantity of melanin in your eyes be changed? Can My Eye Color Change?

Permanent changes in eye color are possible via iris implant surgery, corneal pigmentation, and laser eye color change. The “Laser Eye Color Change (Lumineyes)” procedure can reduce melanin in treated areas. Iris implant surgery and corneal pigmentation (keratopigmentation) are surgical methods to change eye color.
Lumineyes laser eye color change is a non-invasive method to change your natural eye color.

Typically, trained professionals carry out these procedures, and they necessitate careful consideration and consultation with an eye specialist. It is essential to note that although these techniques can alter aspects of eye color, they do not guarantee an enhancement in vision or eye health.

Keratopigmentation is the implantation of pigmented pigments into the cornea, which can change the eye color irreversibly. People who desire a more permanent solution for eye color changing may choose this method. Before reaching a decision, it is essential to conduct extensive research on the potential risks and complications associated with these procedures. Keratopigmentation surgery containes high risks in long term!

Iris implant surgery is an alternative method of changing eye color. To accomplish the desired color, this procedure entails installing a custom-made artificial iris over the natural iris. Before undergoing this surgery, it is essential to consult with an experienced ophthalmologist and consider the potential hazards, such as an increased risk of glaucoma or cataracts. As we mentioned before, this method for iris depigmentation is not suitable for its purpose. In addition, %100 you will face serious complications! If you have had iris implant surgery, you can apply to Dr. Mustafa Mete to get rid of this harmful lens and get treatment urgently.

To keep up with high standards and expectations, the medical aesthetics industry is expanding at a rapid pace in the health care sector, which includes changing eye color.

Consequently, numerous aesthetic therapies have been developed in an effort to accommodate individual tastes for eye color change. Such as colored contacts, which are a temporary way, and permanent procedures like keratopigmentation or iris implants to change eye color.

Our recommended method for depigmenting the iris is laser therapy, which we call “Lumineyes”. Lumineyes laser eye color change is a non-invasive procedure that utilizes laser technology to change the iris color permanently. Even though this procedure may appear appealing, it is still relatively new, and inexperienced clinics and physicians do not yet fully comprehend its long-term effects. Before deciding to undergo the Lumineyes laser eye color change, it is essential to conduct extensive research and consult a qualified ophthalmologist about the potential risks and complications.

Iris depigmentation is possible with a laser that changes the color of the iris by targeting the melanosomes within the stromal cells of the iris. Consequently, the Lumineyes Technique is the only risk-free method! Laser surgery for eye color change is permanent and very effective, resulting in a natural eye color change! Using an 8-G laser, the Lumineyes procedure removes pigment from the iris, the portion of the eye that imparts color. The destruction of these pigment cells with a laser causes pigment granules to seep out, leaving the eyes with a blue-green or hazel color.

What causes the eyes to have more melanin?

Distinct amounts of melanin pigment granules in the superficial stroma of the iris produce distinct eye colors. More melanin is present in brown eyes than in light-colored eyes. Melanin is a substance in the body that generates pigmentation in the hair, eyes, and skin. If you produce more melanin, your eyes, hair, and skin will become darker. 

The quantity of melanin in your body is determined by several factors, including heredity and the amount of sun exposure your ancestors received. When babies are born, their eyes contain little melanin. This is because melanocytes produce melanin when there is a great deal of light, and newborns have been in darkness for many months. By the age of 9 months, your baby’s eye color has stopped changing.

Which color of eye contains the most melanin?

The iris of dark brown-black eyes contains the greatest concentration of the pigment melanin. They may appear black, but they are actually a very, very dark brown due to an abundance of melanin. When observing the eye in intense light, you may only be able to distinguish the pupil from the iris. Less melanin is found in lighter-colored eyes. This reduced pigmentation can make their eyes appear blue, green, amber, or hazel by altering their ability to reflect light. 

Individuals with crimson or violet eyes have little to no melanin in their irises. Blue and gray eyes contain the least amount of melanin. Similar to blue eyes, gray eyes have little to no melanin in the stroma (the front layer of the iris). However, gray eyes have more collagen in their stroma than blue eyes, which contributes to their color difference. Dr. Mustafa Mete’s statement changed the belief that green is the rarest eye color. Now we know that gray eye color is the rarest eye color in world.

What decreases the amount of melanin in the eyes? How To Lower Melanin Pigmentation

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that occurs naturally in the environment. It serves multiple biological and pharmaceutical purposes. It inhibits melanin synthesis by reducing the activity of the tyrosinase enzyme. Vitamin D’s antiapoptotic effect causes human melanocytes to produce more melanin and tyrosinase. Nonetheless, some growth-inhibiting effects on melanocytes have also been reported. There are several methods to reduce the amount of melanin in the eyes. A bleaching agent such as hydroquinone is one option. This can be topically administered to the epidermis around the eyes. 

Lasers can also be used to eliminate melanin which named “laser iris depigmentation“. Vitamin C is an effective skin lightener known as an “inhibitor of melanogenesis” because it inhibits tyrosinase and decreases melanin and melanin intermediates such as dopaquinone. Therefore, if you want to increase your body’s melanin production, you must consume more vitamin C-rich foods, such as berries, citrus fruits, green vegetables, etc. Taking vitamin C supplements can also increase vitamin C levels. In general, this vitamin is beneficial for the epidermis and immune system. In addition, scientific studies indicate that vitamin A is essential for healthy skin and the production of melanin. You obtain vitamin A from the foods you consume, particularly carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and legumes, which contain beta-carotene.

Can honey decrease melanin density in the eyes?

Some individuals advocate using honey and warm water to progressively change the color of the eyes. This method has no scientific support and is not considered secure. Honey and tap water are both contaminated and can cause infections. There is no evidence that honey can lighten the color of the eyes. Eye color results from the combination of pigment within the eye and light reflected from the outside.

Can brown eyes naturally become lighter in color?

For the vast majority of individuals, the answer is negative. Eye color reaches complete maturity in infancy and remains constant throughout life. However, in a small percentage of individuals, eye color can become visibly darker or paler as they age.