Do People Have Purple or Violet Eyes? The Science Behind This Rare Color

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The genetics behind one of the rarest eye colors
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Purple eyes are usually associated with magical realms, supernatural powers, and royal bloodlines. This trope is very popular in fantasy fiction and Daenerys Targaryen is one such character. Known as the Mother of Dragons in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, she rode her dragons high above the clouds to take revenge on her enemies, a fierce purple flame lit in her eyes. But—are purple eyes simply a work of fiction, or can people really be born with purple eyes? If you’re intrigued by the alluring aesthetics of purple eyes and want to learn more, keep reading.

Is it possible to have purple eyes?

Yes, but they make up less than 1% of the population. When there is low melanin in the iris, more light is reflected, and the eyes can appear purple or violet. Purple eyes are extremely rare and are often linked to albinism, which affects melanin production. Conditions like heterochromia can also result in purple eyes.

Section 1 of 5:

Do some people have naturally purple eyes?

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  1. Yes, some people have naturally purple eyes, but they're rare. Less than 1% of the population has purple eyes, and the color is most commonly associated with albinism. People with albinism have low melanin production. With little melanin in the iris, more light gets reflected and scattered, causing eye color to appear very light and, in some circumstances, purple. This illusion is similar to the way sunlight scatters to make the sky appear blue. [1]
    • Melanin is the chemical responsible for the pigment in our hair, skin, and eyes.
    • Eye color is simply an expression of how much melanin our bodies naturally produce. People born with more melanin have darker skin, hair, and eyes.
    • Purple eyes, also known as violet eyes, are a typically dark, indigo blue hue that only appear purple under certain lighting conditions.
    • Iconic Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor was known for her violet eyes, although they were actually blue. Taylor admittedly used makeup and other tricks to make them seem a deeper shade of violet to add to her seductive aesthetic.
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Section 2 of 5:

Causes of Purple Eyes

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  1. 1
    Genetics Purple eye color is the result of specific and incredibly rare genetic traits, passed on from parents to offspring. These genes express themselves in the production of melanin, with some being recessive and others dominant. Purple eyes are a result of recessive traits, which means they require both parents to carry the gene of extremely light colored eyes in order for the child to have them. This increases the likelihood of eyes appearing purple under the right lighting conditions. [2]
  2. 2
    Albinism Albinism affects 1 in 17,000-20,000 people on average globally, although there are higher concentrations in places like Sub-Saharan Africa. This genetic condition affects people of all races, resulting in melanin production that is either very low or non-existent. People with albinism, called albinos, tend to have very fair skin, platinum-colored hair, and red eyes that can appear purple. [3]
    • Red eyes occur when low melanin in the eye allows more light to reflect, often showcasing the red blood vessels in the eye, creating the illusion of a red iris.
  3. 3
    Underlying health conditions Certain medical conditions can create the appearance of purple eyes. Heterochromia, for example, is a condition in which each eye is either partially or totally different in color. The varying levels of melanin under certain lighting conditions can potentially lead to hues that could be perceived as purple, but it's important to note that this is very unusual. [4]
    • Fuchs syndrome can be a side effect of heterochromia. Fuchs syndrome atrophies the iris, causing it to lose pigment and potentially lighten in color.
    • Horner syndrome can also cause changes in eye color as it impairs the nerves surrounding the eye, with symptoms like droopy eyelids, constricted pupils, and minimal sweating in the area.
    • Waardenburg syndrome affects melanin production, either producing little from birth or slowing down production later in life, possibly leading to purple-toned eyes.
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Section 3 of 5:

How rare are purple eyes?

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  1. Less than 1% of the population has purple eyes. According to reported studies, less than 1% of the world’s population has purple eyes, making them one of the rarest eye colors . Albinism is the main condition that results in purple eyes, and it affects about 1 in 20,000 people. The fact that not everyone with albinism has purple eyes only serves to further illustrate how truly rare purple eyes are. [5]
    • Brown eyes make up 70-80% of the population, while blue eyes make up 8-10%, and green eyes only make up about 2%.
Section 4 of 5:

How to Get Violet Eyes

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  1. Color contacts can help you achieve an alluring purple-eyed look. If you want to channel the iconic mystique of Elizabeth Taylor or the magical ferocity of Daenerys Targaryen without altering your genetic code, there’s still hope! Contact lenses are a great way to help you achieve that captivating amethyst gaze, with many options depending on the look you’re going for— pun intended. Here are some fun purple and violet shades you might want to consider: [6]
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Section 5 of 5:

What is Alexandria's Genesis?

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  1. Alexandria’s Genesis is a fictional condition that results in purple eyes. Although the origins of this myth are unknown, many believe it was created by Cameron Aubernon, a Daria fanfiction writer, in 1998. She portrayed it as a genetic mutation that caused purple eyes, a long life span, and other unusual features. However, other sources say that this made-up condition has much older lore, dating back to the 13th century. Legend says that a young girl named Alexandria was born with blue eyes that began turning purple. According to the tale, she gave birth to two children, who also had purple eyes and went ton to live over 100 years. [7]
    • Other “symptoms” of this fictional anomaly include heightened immunity, fertility, and vision.
    • Alexandria’s Genesis is completely unfounded and is not a real medical condition.

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      References

      1. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22615-melanin
      2. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/genes-and-genetics
      3. ↑ https://albinism.org/about-albinism/
      4. ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/why-are-my-eyes-changing-color
      5. ↑ https://www.worldatlas.com/society/the-world-s-population-by-eye-color.html
      6. ↑ https://eyecandys.com/collections/violet-purple-contacts
      7. ↑ https://www.icliniq.com/articles/eye-health/alexandrias-genesis

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