Top 5 Rarest Eye Colors in Humans

Humans possess some of the rarest eye colors among living creatures. Some say that the eyes are the mirror of the soul, others call it the windows of our dreams. What are the top five rarest eye colors and what do they say about our souls or dreams?

According to the Optical Academy, “The rarest eye colors are red and violet, which are primarily found in individuals with albinism. Excluding those affected by albinism, green and gray eyes are considered the most uncommon.”

However rare the eye color is, people steer in them for different reasons. Some believe that the eyes reflect every emotion and desire our heart feels. They brighten when we feel hope or joy, darken when we feel despair and sadness, and fill with tears whenever these emotions overwhelm us.

Another popular belief is that upon meeting someone, our mind subconsciously creates a mental inventory of the physical attributes of the person. Hair, nose, lips, and of course the eyes. Attractive eye colors will captivate you more than their shapes.

A recent survey conducted by Contacts Direct showed that people consider some eye colors as being more attractive than others.

One thing these survey results have in common is that light-colored eyes, green, gray, blue, and hazel, are named the most attractive eye colors in the world. In one large survey of more than 66,000 people, green was chosen as the most attractive eye color

Another website reporting positive impacts empowered by these unique eye colors is NVision. The research conducted by the site created a Human Eye Color Chart. The ranks the color by occurrence ranging from 50% Brown eyes to less than 1% Violet eyes.

“Most potential benefits that might come from eye color are social. Some people find different eye colors more attractive or interesting. Different eye colors also make humans more diverse, which is arguably a positive where it doesn’t significantly impact health.”

Some of the most common eye colors in humans are brown, hazel, blue, and gray. Yet, what are the uncommon ones?

#5 Green or Blue Eye Colors

Mostly found in the Northern European countries, such as Finland, Norway, and Iceland, just 2% of people out of the world’s population possess green eyes. The eyes take an emerald shade because such people genetically produce less melanin in the eyes than others.

Many myths exist about the green and blue eye colors. One of the most common fictions considers any other colors as evidence of infidelity.

There was once a belief that two blue-eyed people couldn’t produce a brown-eyed child, and thought that it was a sign of infidelity. However, this is not true, and the reality is more complex.

#4 Amber Eye Colors

Also called wolf eyes (because amber eyes are most common in wolves) the golden yellow eyes with a touch of copper in them also make me think of the sunset.

In response to a question on whether yellow or amber yes existed, My Med shared an interesting clarification.

“A golden yellow or copper color occurs due to higher quantities of the pigment lipochrome (yellow pigment) and very little melanin, and are considered very rare. Amber-colored eyes are most often seen in Asian and South American areas of the world.”

Good news for amber or hazel-eyed women. A survey conducted by a London-based lens store found that they have the most attractive eye color in women. “Hazel is the most attractive eye color in females.
“Blue and brown, the most popular for men, trended towards the bottom middle of the list, with brown eyes – the most common in the world – receiving only 13% of all matches.”

#3 Violet Eye Color in Human

Violet eyes are most found in albinos, and extremely rare otherwise. Bloodshot blue eyes also give off a violet shade, hence it’s actually a trick of the mind, and so commonly mistaken for being actually violet.

Even though deep blue eyes, like those of Elizabeth Taylor, can appear violet or purple under certain circumstances, true violet-colored eyes only occur due to albinism. Albinism accounts for less than one percent of the population with this condition.

Besides violet eyes, yellow eyes are also caused by a genetic disorder as well as some common illnesses.

#2 Black Eye Color – Does it Exist?

The debate still continues – Do black eyes actually exist or are they just very, very dark brown eyes? Well, if they do exist, they are indeed very rare.

Nonetheless, black eyes do not really exist. It is possible for an eye disorder known as aniridia to appear as if there are “no irises” in the eye. The iris tissue is in fact present, but is so small and the pupil is so large that it gives the impression the eyes are completely black.

In a blog post by All About Vision, the author delves into the black eye color debate. “Colors can range from a lighter chestnut to darker hues that almost seem to blend in with the pupil.

“While some people may appear to have black irises, they don’t technically exist. People with black-colored eyes instead have very dark brown eyes that are almost indistinguishable from the pupil.”

#1 Red or Pink Eye Color

Without any doubt, the rarest of all eye colors is red. (Picture red eyes – ugh, they give me the goosebumps). Though this eye color is mostly found in albinos, they are also found in people who have leakage of blood in their iris.

Equally rare as red eyes are pink eyes. According to research conducted by the American Academy of Ophthalmologists, this rare eye color is also attributed to albinism. “People with a condition called albinism have little to no melanin in their skin, hair, and irises. Often, someone with albinism has light blue eyes.

“In rare cases, the irises are clear due to a lack of melanin, and their eyes may appear pink or red because the blood vessels are visible.”

Often, when discussing rare eye colors, people will bring up colors they’re likely to see in their communities or on television. Although green and hazel may be rare eye colors, they are not the rarest. These colors are a result of great genetic changes and blending.