Top 10 rarest eye colors in the world

Wonder articles
4 min readDec 16, 2022

Eye color is determined by the amount and type of pigments in the iris, as well as by the scattering of light by the turbid medium in the stroma of the iris. The color of the iris can range from shades of brown, blue, green, grey, and even pink or red. While brown is the most common eye color, there are some rarer hues that occur less frequently in the general population. Here are the top 10 rarest eye colors in the world.

1.Violet eyes

Violet eyes are extremely rare and are often associated with albinism. They are caused by the reflection, scattering, and absorption of light in the iris, and are typically characterized by a blue-violet hue.

2.Red eyes

Red eyes are also very rare and are caused by the reflection of light off the blood vessels in the back of the iris. They can be caused by a number of conditions, including albinism and certain medications.

3.Heterochromia

Heterochromia is a condition in which a person has two different colored eyes. It can be caused by genetics, injury, or disease. It is rare and occurs in about 1 in every 1,000 people.

4.Amber eyes

Amber eyes are characterized by a yellow-orange color and are caused by the scattering of light by the pigments in the iris. They are rare and are often found in people of Asian and South American descent.

5.Green eyes

Green eyes are caused by the combination of blue scattering of light by the iris and yellow color of the epithelium. They are rare, occurring in only about 2% of the world’s population.

6.Grey eyes

Grey eyes are caused by the scattering of light by the iris, which results in a muted, grey color. They are rare, occurring in about 3–6% of the world’s population.

7.Turquoise eyes

Turquoise eyes are a rare, bright blue-green color that is caused by the combination of blue scattering of light by the iris and yellow color of the epithelium. They are rare and are often found in people of Middle Eastern and North African descent.

8.Pink eyes

Pink eyes, also known as red eyes, are extremely rare and are caused by the reflection of light off the blood vessels in the back of the iris. They can be caused by a number of conditions, including albinism and certain medications.

9.Black eyes

Black eyes are caused by a high concentration of melanin in the iris, which absorbs all light and gives the eye a dark, black appearance. They are rare and are often found in people of African or Asian descent.

10.Yellow eyes

Yellow eyes are caused by the accumulation of lipochrome, a yellow pigment, in the iris. They are rare and are often found in people of Asian or South American descent.

Overall, the rarest eye colors are those that are caused by rare genetic variations or conditions. These include violet eyes, red eyes, and heterochromia. While these eye colors are rare, they are not necessarily a sign of any health problems and are simply a unique and beautiful aspect of an individual’s appearance.

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Hi, I'm Induja and I'm a journalist and writer with a passion for science, history, and fiction.