Eye Color May Influence Your Reading Ability Study Suggests

Photo byPhoto by Amanda Dalbjörn on Unsplash

Approximately one-tenth of the world's population boasts blue eyes, a trait especially prevalent in European populations. The persistence of this colour amid various earthy tones has intrigued scientists for years. Anthropologists from the UK now suggest that blue-eyed individuals might have a visual advantage in dimly lit conditions.

In a preliminary study by researchers from Liverpool John Moores University, 39 adult volunteers underwent a simple eye test under decreasing light conditions. Participants with blue eyes demonstrated better vision under significantly lower light levels than those with brown eyes.

This finding aligns with the theory that reduced pigmentation in the iris, resulting in blue eyes, was selected in specific populations to enhance vision in low-light environments. Although the study has limitations, including a small sample size and lack of peer review, it offers initial support for this hypothesis.

Regardless of colour, all irises consist of proteins like melanin, which darken the eyes. Decreased pigmentation scatters light, giving the iris a blue hue, similar to the sky's colour due to atmospheric scattering.

The prevalence of blue eyes can be traced back to a mutation in a gene associated with albinism, allowing for reduced melanin levels in the eyes. While the exact reasons for this mutation's persistence are complex, it may have provided advantages such as prestige, beauty, or improved vision in low-light conditions.

This study suggests that the ability to see slightly better in dimly lit environments could have contributed to the continued presence of blue eyes, adding to the diverse spectrum of traits found in the human population.