ADDED TO CARTIs It Possible to Have Purple Eyes (Violet Eyes)?
Guides & How To
INDEX
Purple is one of the rarest eye colors in the world. This shade appears when the irises (the colored ring in the eyes) have hues ranging from purple to lavender to deep violet.
Genetics help determine purple eye color and eye color in general, but this hue is sometimes found in people with certain conditions. You may also notice that some eye colors appear purple depending on the lighting or the clothing color someone is wearing.
Read on to learn more about purple eyes. We’ll discuss the role of genetics in purple eye color, the conditions sometimes associated with violet eyes, and useful tips to help keep your eyes healthy.
How Purple Eyes Get Their Color
Genetics and melanin (a dark pigment produced in the body) largely determine your eye color. While purple eyes are a variation of blue eyes, certain factors can make the irises appear purple.
In years past, researchers believed that one gene was responsible for determining eye color. Scientists now know, however, that multiple genes help influence the eye color you inherit.
Melanin affects the color of your hair, skin, and eyes. Having more melanin results in darker features, while having less melanin leads to lighter features. Your eye color is influenced by the type, amount, and distribution of melanin in the iris.
The iris has a front and back layer. Your eye color appears in the front layer. The back layer typically has a fair amount of melanin regardless of eye color. In lighter-colored eyes, such as purple, the front layer has very little melanin. Light reflects off of structures in the front layer of the iris to help give them their color.
How Rare Are Violet Eyes?
Though extremely rare, purple is ranked among the most attractive eye colors. It is estimated that less than 1% of people around the world have natural purple eyes.
Elizabeth Taylor’s Eyes
Some people think that the late actress Elizabeth Taylor’s eyes were purple or violet. Taylor is known for her starring roles in “Father of the Bride,” “A Place in the Sun,” and “Ivanhoe.”
Elizabeth Taylor’s eyes were, in fact, blue. But in many pictures, it appears as though she had purple irises. If you browse through her photos, you may notice that sometimes her eyes look blue, while at other times, they appear purple. This is likely due to lighting conditions, her clothing, and her makeup.
Conditions Associated With Purple Eyes
Though it’s rare to find someone with natural purple eyes, this eye color occurrence may be associated with certain conditions. Some of these include:
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic condition that causes the body to produce little or no melanin. Ocular albinism is a form of the condition that only affects the eyes. It is caused by a genetic mutation that impacts eye pigmentation.
The lack of pigment in albinism allows you to see the eye’s blood vessels, giving the iris a purple, red, or pink hue. This isn't possible in other eye colors, as the pigmentation acts like a shield that covers the blood vessels from view.
Eye Inflammation
Inflammation that occurs in the uvea, the eyeball’s middle layer, is known as uveitis.
Uveitis can blur your vision, cause pain, and make your eyes sensitive to light. You may experience an eye color change, making your irises appear violet or purple in color.
Alexandria’s Genesis
At the beginning of the 21st century, someone wrote a fanfiction story that involved a genetic condition called Alexandria’s genesis. The author wrote that this condition could cause purple-colored eyes and was the result of a genetic mutation to create the “perfect human.”
Although this genetic disorder doesn't exist, people with certain conditions or eye problems can have purple eyes.
Can You Change Your Eye Color?
The best way to temporarily “change” your eye color is to wear colored contact lenses. These come in different shades, including purple (amethyst), and you can choose between monthly and daily contact lens options.
You can only get contactswith a doctor’s prescription, even if they’re for cosmetic use. Schedule a visit with your eye doctor to get your eyes checked and determine if contacts are the right option for your vision needs and aesthetic goals.
Keeping Violet Eyes Healthy
Melanin helps protect against ultraviolet (UV) damage. But light-colored eyes (such as purple, blue, or green) tend to have less melanin than darker eyes. Having less melanin increases the risk of sun damage and other conditions that could affect your eye health and vision. Wearing sunglasses labeled as 100% UV protection or UV400 can reduce these risks and help keep your eyes healthy.
To keep your vision at its best, doctors recommend having a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year. Exams may be recommended more frequently if you have glaucoma, diabetes, or other health conditions.
An eye exam helps eye doctors test your visual acuity and detect any vision-related issues you might have. They can then offer a treatment plan depending on your diagnosis and vision needs.
