Dante Carrillo
It is uncommon to think that eye colour can change, but it is possible. The iris is a muscle that controls pupil size and gives eyes their colour. When exposed to bright light, the pupil shrinks, and in dim light, it expands. This contraction and expansion change the eye colour. The iris contains pigments that spread out or compress when the pupil size changes, causing a slight change in eye colour. While eye colour is primarily determined by genetics and melanin levels, some believe that diet can also play a role. Some claim that their eye colour changed due to consuming specific foods like fish, onions, nuts, and olive oil. However, there is little scientific evidence to support these claims, and eye colour changes could indicate underlying health issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Possibility of eye colour change based on diet | Unlikely, no scientific evidence |
| Eye colour change based on raw vegan diet | Unlikely, no scientific evidence |
| Factors that determine eye colour | Melanin, genetics, age, emotions, diet, lighting, clothing, makeup |
| Foods that can change eye colour | Fish, onions, nuts, chamomile and uva ursi tea, olive oil, honey, spinach |
| Eye colour change due to medical conditions | Horner's syndrome, pigment dispersion syndrome, Fuch's heterochromic uveitis, pigmentary glaucoma |
| Eye colour change due to surgical procedures | Lens implant surgery, laser surgery |
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What You'll Learn
The effect of specific foods, e.g. onions, nuts, and fish
While there is some debate about whether or not diet can change eye colour, with some experts claiming it is a "scientific impossibility", there are a few specific foods that are said to have an effect on eye colour.
Onions
Regular consumption of onions is said to cause gradual changes in eye and skin colour.
Nuts
Consuming different nuts is believed to gradually lighten eye colour. However, roasted nuts are unlikely to have the same effect, as the high temperatures they are exposed to destroy the nutrients responsible for the potential change in eye colour.
Fish
Consuming fish is said to increase eye colour strength, and this change may be permanent depending on the amount consumed.
In addition to the above, organic honey, spinach, and olive oil are also believed to bring about changes in eye colour.
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The impact of raw vegan diets
The raw vegan diet has been gaining popularity recently, with some proponents claiming that it can provide health benefits such as weight loss, improved heart health, and a lower risk of diabetes. This diet combines the principles of veganism, which excludes all foods of animal origin, with the concept of raw foodism, which dictates that foods should be consumed raw or heated at very low temperatures. The belief is that raw and minimally processed foods are more nutritious and detoxifying than cooked foods.
However, there are several risks and misconceptions associated with the raw vegan diet. Firstly, cooking breaks down fibers and cellular walls, making nutrients more available for absorption. For example, cooking carrots increases the availability of beta-carotene, and cooking tomatoes boosts the antioxidant lycopene. Secondly, a long-term raw vegan diet may lead to micronutrient deficiencies and related health complications due to the limited variety of foods consumed. Doctors who prescribe vegan diets generally caution against attempting a fully raw diet, as it greatly restricts food choices and is based on misconceptions about human nutrition.
Regarding eye color change, there is little to no scientific evidence supporting the claim that a raw vegan diet can alter eye color. While some individuals, such as "Fully Raw Kristina," have claimed that their eyes changed from brown to blue or hazel due to the diet, eye experts and iridologists remain skeptical. Eye color is primarily determined by genetics and the presence of pigments like melanin, with environmental factors like age, emotions, and sunlight exposure also playing a role. While diet may influence eye health, there is no significant proof that it can lead to a permanent change in eye color.
Some people believe that certain foods can impact eye color. For instance, fish is said to strengthen eye color, onions may change eye and skin color, and nuts are thought to contribute to lighter eye colors when raw. However, these claims are mostly anecdotal, and there is limited scientific backing. It is important to note that while cosmetic surgeries, such as lens implant surgery, can permanently alter eye color, they may come with potential risks and complications.
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Iridology and its role
Iridology is a theory that it is possible to assess health issues by analyzing changes in the appearance of the iris and pupil of the eye. It is based on the idea that each organ in the human body has a corresponding region in the iris. When there is an illness in the body, changes will occur in that section of the eye. Iridologists claim that patterns, colors, and other characteristics of the iris can be examined to determine information about a patient's systemic health. They use iris charts, which divide the iris into zones that correspond to specific parts of the human body, to distinguish between healthy systems and organs in the body and those that are overactive, inflamed, or distressed.
The birth of iridology as a practice is contested. Some claim that it was first presented as a medical theory in the 1665 edition of Chromatica Medica by Philippus Meyeus. The first explicit description of iridological principles, such as homolaterality, can be found in Chiromatica Medica, a famous work published in 1665 and reprinted in 1670 and 1691 by Philippus Meyeus (Philip Meyen von Coburg). The first use of the word Augendiagnostik ("eye diagnosis", loosely translated as iridology) began with Ignaz von Peczely, a 19th-century Hungarian physician recognized as its founding father. The most common story is that he got the idea for this diagnostic tool after seeing similar streaks in the eyes of a man he was treating for a broken leg and the eyes of an owl whose leg he had broken many years before. However, at the First International Iridological Congress, Ignaz von Peczely's nephew, August von Peczely, dismissed this story as a myth and maintained that such claims were irreproducible.
Iridology is generally considered safe as there is no harm caused by looking at the eyes. However, the dubious science behind the practice can lead to misdiagnoses, unnecessary treatments, and side effects from unneeded therapies. Well-controlled scientific evaluations of iridology have shown negative results, with all rigorous double-blind trials failing to find any statistical significance to its claims. A study from 1999 found that “iridology’s efficacy was not supported by scientific evaluations. In 2000, researchers performed another study that came to a similar conclusion: “Iridology has shown to be of little benefit to anyone. Patients and therapists should be discouraged from utilizing iridology, since it has the potential to cause personal and financial harm.” To date, clinical data does not support a correlation between illness in the body and coinciding observable changes in the iris.
While iridology is considered a pseudoscience, it is still practiced by many holistic wellness practitioners and licensed naturopathic physicians. Some people who follow raw diets claim that their eye color has changed as a result of their diet. For example, Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram, who blogs for FullyRaw, claimed in a YouTube video that her diet turned her eyes from dark brown to hazel, and she believes that blue eyes are not too far off. She consulted an iridologist who told her that a poor diet creates toxic buildup that is reflected in the eyes. However, five iridologists were asked about this idea and they all said it sounded weird. For example, Yorkshire-based iridologist John Andrews said, “Alas, it is a misconception that eyes change color with diet.”
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Eye colour changes due to age
While most people's eye colours will fully mature during infancy, a small percentage of people's eyes can change colour as they age. This change can manifest as a darkening or lightening of the eyes due to the increase or decrease of melanin in the body.
Babies are generally born with light-coloured eyes that can darken as they grow older. This phenomenon occurs due to the increase in melanin levels around the pupil, resulting in darker eyes. Additionally, exposure to sunlight can stimulate melanin production in the eyes, leading to the appearance of small brown spots on the iris, known as "eye freckles". However, it is important to note that sunlight cannot permanently change eye colour.
In rare cases, eye colour changes can be attributed to medical conditions or injuries. For example, Fuchs Heterochromic Iridocyclitis (FHI) can cause inflammation in the iris, resulting in a loss of pigmentation and a change in eye colour. Similarly, Horner's Syndrome, often caused by a stroke or injury to the nerves on one side of the face, can lead to iris depigmentation and changes in eye appearance. Other conditions, such as Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome (ICE), can cause corneal cells to move to the iris, potentially altering eye colour.
Age-related conditions like pseudoexfoliation syndrome can also contribute to eye colour changes. This disease results in a white, flaky material building up on the iris and other eye structures, which can affect the eye's drainage system and increase the risk of glaucoma. Additionally, as individuals age, the clear lens within their eyes can turn yellow and cloudy, a condition known as cataracts. While cataracts do not affect the iris, a dense, white cataract visible through the pupil may give the appearance of altered eye colour.
It is important to note that significant changes in eye colour could indicate an eye injury or underlying medical condition. Therefore, consulting an eye doctor is recommended to understand the cause of any noticeable eye colour changes.
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Medical procedures for eye colour change
While eye colour can change due to certain medical conditions, there are also medical procedures that can change eye colour. These procedures are largely permanent and are primarily performed for cosmetic reasons.
Laser Keratopigmentation
Also known as corneal tattooing, this procedure uses a laser to deliver a dye into the cornea, which is the clear dome at the front of the eye. This procedure does not involve cutting into the eye tissue and is therefore less expensive than other options, ranging from $5,000 to $7,000 or more for both eyes.
Laser Depigmentation
This procedure uses lasers to strip away the pigment-producing cells on the top layer of the iris, called melanocytes. This procedure can only be performed on brown-eyed patients, as blue eyes do not have any pigment. Laser depigmentation is less expensive than other procedures because it does not involve cutting into the eye tissue.
Iris Implants
During this procedure, a doctor cuts a small part of the cornea and inserts an artificial iris, folded to fit into the slit. The artificial iris is then unfolded underneath the cornea to give a natural look. Iris implants are not approved by the FDA for cosmetic purposes and are not typically covered by insurance. Studies have shown serious problems in patients who have undergone iris implants, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology discourages the procedure for cosmetic reasons.
It is important to note that all eye colour change procedures carry risks, including the potential for reduced vision and blindness. These procedures may not be covered by insurance and should be thoroughly discussed with an ophthalmology team to understand all the terms and conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, eye colour can change, but it is uncommon. Eye colour depends on several factors, including genetics, age, emotions, and diet.
Eye colour changes due to the contraction and expansion of the iris in response to light. This process causes the pigments in the iris to spread out or compress, resulting in slight colour changes. Additionally, eye colour can change due to certain diseases or abnormal functions, such as Horner's Syndrome or Fuch's Heterochromic Uveitis.
There is limited evidence to support the claim that diet can significantly alter eye colour. While some people attribute eye colour changes to a raw vegan diet or the consumption of specific foods, there is no scientific consensus confirming a direct link between diet and eye colour transformation.
While natural methods like diet adjustments or laser treatments are advertised, their effectiveness and safety are questionable. The safest option for changing eye colour is to use contact lenses. For permanent changes, cosmetic surgery, such as lens implant surgery, can be considered, but it carries risks and may lead to complications.
