People with Green Eyes: Where Do Green Eyes Come From?

Published on March 31st, 2026

Green eyes may be considered rare, with just around 2% of the world's population having green eyes, according to Urban Vision Canada. OCA2 is a gene responsible for creating melanin, which is a substance that affects the pigmentation of your hair, eyes and skin. The different types of green eyes can include light green eyes, dark green eyes and hazel green eyes. While there are no physiological benefits to having green eyes, they may be perceived as a unique eye colour because of their rarity. Continue reading to find out more about green eyes.

Different Types of Eye Colours

There are several different types of eye colours including green, brown, amber, hazel, blue, and grey.

What is Green Eye Colour?

Green eye colours are the rarest occurring eye colour and may stem from an amalgamation of eumelanin and a small portion of pheomelanin. Different types of green eyes may include light green, dark green and hazel green. To inherit green eyes, two copies of the allele are required. Eumelanin is one of the two types of melanin and is black-brown in colour. At the same time, pheomelanin is the other type of melanin and is yellow-red in colour, according to D. I. Schlessinger's research paper titled 'Biochemistry, Melanin', published in 2017. Different eye colours are associated with the amount of melanin that is present in the eye, according to S. Dorgaleleh's research paper titled 'Molecular and biochemical mechanisms of human iris colour: A comprehensive review' published in 2020.

How Rare are Green Eyes?

Green eyes may be considered very rare, with only 2% of people worldwide possessing this eye colour, according to Urban Vision Canada. In comparison, blue eyes are suggested to be more common, with around 8-10% of people worldwide having blue eyes, according to Dr. D'Orio Eyecare. It is estimated that 79% of the world's population has brown eyes, and 5% have hazel eyes, according to ophthalmologist Dr. E. Areiter.

Where do Green Eyes Come From?

Green eyes come from a combination of black-brown and a small amount of yellow-red. They have low melanin levels, resulting in light scattering in the stroma and making them appear green. The light scattering in green eyes may be known as Rayleigh scattering, which can only occur when there is little melanin in the eyes.

What are the Different Types of Green Eyes?

The different types of green eyes include light green eyes, hazel-green eyes, and dark green eyes. The different types of eye colours are listed below.

Light Green Eyes: Light green eyes may refer to green eyes with more yellow hues, giving them a lighter appearance. Light green eyes may look slightly different in colour depending on the lighting.
Hazel Green Eyes: Hazel green eyes are typically described as having a unique mix of brown and sometimes amber hues. Hazel green eyes can often be mistaken for brown eyes due to their mix and how the light is scattered.
Dark Green Eyes: Dark green eyes may refer to green eyes that are less vibrant than light green eyes and are a single solid colour. However, in some cases, dark green eyes also have some brown in them, giving them a darker appearance.

1. Light Green Eyes

Light green eyes are green eyes with more yellow hues, which may give them a lighter appearance. Light green eyes can often appear to change colour slightly under different lighting conditions due to their lower melanin content.

2. Hazel-Green Eyes

Hazel green eyes are unique for their combination of green and brown hues, sometimes with amber tones. Hazel green eyes are often perceived as brown due to the nature of their colour mix, which can also appear as a small brown ring around the pupils. Hazel green eyes can sometimes change slightly in colour under different lighting conditions due to their various colours.

3. Dark Green Eyes

Dark green eyes differ from light green eyes in that they may not be as bright or vibrant, but they still give off a green colour. Dark green eyes usually have a single solid colour; however, some dark green eyes feature some brown in them. Dark green eyes with hints of brown may be the cause of their darker appearance.

What Countries Have Green Eyes?

The countries with the highest rates of green eyes may be Ireland and Scotland, where it is estimated that over 75% of people have blue or green eyes. Generally, countries in Northern, Western, and Central Europe have more people with green eyes. While there may be higher rates of individuals born with green eyes found in European countries, other countries also have people with green eyes. No ethnicity or country only has green eyes.

What are the Benefits of Having Green Eyes?

There are no significant benefits of having green eyes as they do not affect vision or any other physiological aspects. However, green eyes may be perceived as a distinct eye colour because they are rare.

Close-up of a girl with green eyes wearing Oscar Wylee glasses.

How do Green Eyes Compare to Blue Eyes?

Green eyes, compared to blue eyes, are similar in that they both have less melanin present, which gives them their green and blue colour. Green and blue eyes have low levels of melanin pigment in the stroma of the iris, causing light to scatter.

What are the Downsides of Having Green Eyes?

There are no downsides to having green eyes, as eye colour does not necessarily affect vision function or any major physiological aspects. However, it is often said that those with lighter eye colours may be more susceptible to light sensitivity because they have less pigment for protection. However, this may be largely due to the amount of sun exposure you allow yourself, and it can still affect those with darker eye colours. It is recommended that those with lighter eye colours use sunglasses when in direct sunlight to prevent discomfort; however, this also applies to everyone to prevent UV light damage.

Are Green Eyes Associated with Eye Deficiencies?

Yes, green eyes may be more associated with light sensitivity due to their lower melanin pigment, which provides less protection. Melanin is a type of pigment present in the eyes and helps to protect them, as it can function as a defence mechanism, according to M. Istrate's research paper titled 'Photoprotection role of melanin in the human retinal pigment epithelium' published in 2020. Darker coloured eyes contain more pigment, enabling the presence of colour in the iris. Lighter coloured eyes, such as green eyes, contain less melanin, allowing more light to scatter in the iris, giving the appearance of green. It is important to note that while lighter coloured eyes can be more at risk of light sensitivity, all eye colours are still vulnerable to damage from sunlight. Therefore, it is important to get regular eye exams and wear sunglasses for sun protection, both of which are essential for caring for your eye health.

Can Green Eyes Be Covered with Contact Lenses?

Yes, green eyes can be covered with contact lenses. Anyone with any eye colour and refractive errors such as farsightedness, nearsightedness or astigmatism can wear contact lenses to have clear vision. It is important to note that Oscar Wylee does not sell contact lenses.

What Glasses Frames Best Complement Green Eye Colour?

The glasses frames that complement green eye colours best may include earthy tones such as neutrals, tortoiseshell frames, certain green shades, clear frames, black frames and metal frames. At Oscar Wylee, we have these colours available in a wide range of shapes and styles, which you can browse online or in-store.

It is important to note that Oscar Wylee offers optometry services only; this article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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