{"id":8263,"date":"2025-10-23T07:57:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T06:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.glassesdirect.co.uk\/blog\/?p=8263"},"modified":"2025-10-24T17:57:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T16:57:12","slug":"hazel-eyes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.glassesdirect.co.uk\/blog\/hazel-eyes\/","title":{"rendered":"How do hazel eyes get their unique colour?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Hazel-coloured eyes are truly mesmerising to behold. Speckled with striking flecks of green, gold and brown, sometimes flecked with blue or grey, they stand out as remarkable and distinctive. They often appear to change in different lighting, making them one of the most mysterious and attractive eye colours<\/u><\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>among the many different eye colours found worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How rare is this eye colour?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Only around 5% of the world\u2019s population have a hazel eye colour. That makes them one of the rarest eye colours<\/u><\/strong><\/a>, just as unusual as amber eyes<\/u><\/strong><\/a> but more common than green, grey, or purple. They\u2019re most often seen in people of North African, Middle Eastern, Spanish, and Brazilian heritage. <\/p>\n\n\n

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What causes hazel eyes?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Eye colour depends on the amount of melanin in the front layer of the iris and the way light scatters across it. People with dark brown eyes<\/u><\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>have more melanin, while lighter eyes like blue<\/u><\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>or green<\/u><\/strong><\/a> contain less melanin. Hazel eyes sit in between, with moderate brown pigment spread unevenly across different parts of the iris. This mix allows various wavelengths of light to reflect, creating that beautiful blend of green, gold, and brown colours, often described as hazelnut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This mix allows various wavelengths of light to reflect, creating a blend of colours that can look different depending on lighting conditions. In bright light they may look greener, while in dimmer settings they can appear closer to light brown. This shifting effect is why some people feel their eyes change colour throughout the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Eye colour genetics<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Hazel eye colour is usually a dominant trait and influenced by multiple genes, including OCA2, and often depends on parents\u2019 eyes. Just one parent with hazel eyes may be enough to pass the colour on. However, genetic mutation and the complex mix of eye colour genetics mean that even two parents with blue or dark brown eyes can have a child with hazel eyes \u2014 it\u2019s just less common. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In rare cases, heterochromia can occur \u2014 where each eye (or part of the eye) is a different colour.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Hazel vs. brown eyes<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The difference is variation. Brown eyes have one consistent, solid colour across the iris. Hazel eyes, however, feature specks or sections of green, gold, or in rare cases blue. That uneven distribution gives them their signature depth and sparkle.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hazel green eyes are well recognised, but brown-dominant hazel shades are the most common eye colour within this group. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eye care matters<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Whatever your eye colour, regular eye tests are key to protecting your vision and spotting eye diseases early. Whether your eyes are hazel, blue, or green, good eye care helps keep them healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What glasses suit hazel eyes?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Hazel pairs beautifully with earthy, deep colours. Here are some of the best frame choices:<\/p>\n\n\n\n