Gene variations and interactions in different genes can cause someone to have different colored eyes than their parents or even than any other family members. Several genes are responsible for the amount of pigment in the eyes, making it possible for two blue-eyed parents to have brown-eyed children. People with blue eyes have much less melanin. It is possible, so it turns out that this old model was too simplistic.Įye color is directly connected with the amount and quality of pigment, also known as melanin. In the past, many people thought that if both parents had blue eyes, they couldn’t have a brown-eyed baby. However, today, studies confirm that the eye color inheritance pattern is more complex. Traditionally, people believed that eye color was determined by a single gene. Typically, the eyes stay the same color throughout life, but they may change color due to health conditions, medications, or injury. Blue eyes have little or no pigment, while brown eyes have a large amount.

The color of your eyes is determined by the amount of pigment, known as melatonin, in your iris. The pupil is the small opening that appears black in the middle of your eye. The iris is that colored part of the eye, surrounding the center or pupil.

Hair and eye color abbreviations