Eye color is a feature of every person. Brown, blue, gray or green is due to the presence of a substance - melanin. The color of the iris depends on the amount of this pigment. If it is more - it will be darker, if less - lighter. Can eye color change in children and adults? This is stated in the sections of the article.
Features of the phenomenon
Scientists believe that the shade of the iris can change. This may be due to hormonal imbalance (for example, during gestation or after mental trauma). Coloring becomes a little lighter or darker. The same thing happens with prolonged use of drops. Does the color of the eyes in newborns change? This question interests many. Usually babies have a brown or a blue shade of the iris.
Will its color change in a child whose parents have bright eyes? When the baby is born, the iris of his organs of vision looks a little cloudy. This is because the newborn begins to adapt to the conditions of the world. Can the color of the eyes of a child change under the influence of external influences? Is this phenomenon dangerous for the baby’s organs of vision? This is discussed in the next section.
Reasons for change
Over time, a beautiful blue shade of the iris in a child becomes green, gray or brown. Why is this happening? The color of the skin and eyes is determined by the amount of a certain substance - melanin. It is formed in the body under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Being in the womb, the child does not receive enough light. Therefore, his skin and eyes are pale in color. Most babies born to people of the Caucasian race have a blue tint of the iris. After some time, under the influence of ultraviolet light, it becomes gray, green or brown. Therefore, the answer to the question of whether the color of the eyes in children can change is positive. The color of the iris in this case depends on the hereditary predisposition. However, there are situations when a high concentration of melanin in the baby’s body is determined by genetics (his parents have dark skin). Then the child is born with brown eyes.
Sometimes babies are born with a natural feature - albinism. They have a pale tint of skin and irises. In the body of such children, melanin production is not observed. Such a disease is not amenable to therapy.
Pigment role
Melanin is a substance that determines the color of the iris. It performs a protective function.
It prevents the penetration of excessive amounts of ultraviolet radiation into the tissue. The more this pigment in the body, the less it is sensitive to radiation. This explains the fact that swarthy people almost never sunbathe in the sun. And fair-skinned, on the contrary, are forced to protect themselves from such an impact. The concentration of melanin in the body is determined by heredity and depends on race. At the eleventh week of gestation, a shade of the iris is laid at the embryo. As a rule, he gets from one of the parents.
When does the change happen?
Mom and dad of the baby, of course, are interested in the question of how their baby will look and who it will look like. You can not immediately determine the constant shade of the iris. Does the color of the eyes change in newborns? When does this happen? There is no clear term during which the shade of the iris is established once and for all.
In a baby with blue eyes, it may become lighter or darker, more cloudy or transparent. It depends on the emotional state of the child. Sometimes fluctuations in the concentration of melanin provoke such changes. These phenomena do not affect the functions of the organs of vision and are considered the norm. In some infants, already at the age of three months, the eyes acquire a permanent color. This usually happens in babies with the brown color of the iris. In other children, the shade changes 3-4 times and only then it is finally established. As a rule, this occurs between the ages of six months and eight months. During this period, intensive production of melanin occurs. Therefore, the answer to the question of whether the color of the eyes changes in children is positive, regardless of the genetically incorporated shade. However, there are babies in whom the color of the iris becomes constant only at the age of three to four years. This phenomenon is considered the norm.
Possible violations
In some cases, the child’s organs of vision have a different shade. Such a phenomenon is called heterochromia. It is due to a lack or excess of melanin in the baby's body. The anomaly is associated with genetic problems or hereditary pathologies.
Can eye color change if there is such a deviation? The answer to this question will be positive in case of timely contact to the doctor. The ophthalmologist prescribes the necessary treatment to normalize the production of melanin.
Changing the shade of the iris in adults
This phenomenon is common. It is explained by the following factors:
- Disorders of the organs of vision.
- The use of drops containing hormones.
- Lighting Features.
- Clothing and cosmetics.
- Hormonal disbalance.
- Powerful emotions.
Does eye color change with age? The answer to this question is yes. The fact is that in older people, the process of cell renewal in the body slows down. Melanin production does not happen as fast as before. Consequently, the eyes of the chocolate shade become light brown, and the green ones fade. In addition, the iris is compacted and due to this becomes cloudy.
The color of the organs of vision also depends on lighting or clothing. For example, if you wear a blue blouse, cornflower blue eyes become brighter. Emotional reactions lead to an increase or decrease in pupil volume. Can the eye color change in this case? Naturally, yes. Reduced pupils give the iris a darker color, and enlarged pupils lighten. In women, a change in color can be caused by hormonal imbalance. This phenomenon is observed before critical days, during the period of gestation and with menopause. The endocrine system and central nervous system affect the color of the iris. With certain pathologies, a malfunction is observed in the process of melanin production.
How to change the color of the organs of vision?
The iris can be given a different shade. This is done using the following methods:
- Colored contact lenses. They are used even with normal vision.
- Drops. The composition of these drugs includes hormones. Therefore, the answer to the question of whether the color of the eyes of a person can change under the influence of such substances is positive. However, to achieve the effect, drops must be used for a long time.
- Diet (the use of products containing carotene, tyrosine and tryptophan).
- Clothing and cosmetics.
- Laser operation. This method is expensive because it includes the costs of eye care products.