ALBAWABA - A large number of people worldwide possess blue eyes, a captivating color likened to summer skies or tropical oceans.
This trait is particularly prevalent in some European populations, where up to three out of four people may have blue eyes. The reason behind the persistence of such colored eyes alongside darkly pigmented irises has long intrigued scientists.
A team of anthropologists in the UK recently experimented to explore the potential advantages of blue eyes under dim lighting conditions. Kyoko Yamaguchi and her student, Faith Erin Cain, from Liverpool John Moores University made use of 39 adult volunteers for a simple eye test in varying levels of light.
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The participants self-reported their eye colors, which were then verified as blue or brown. The results indicated that people with blue colored eyes could read codes under lower light conditions compared to those with brown eyes.
This preliminary study suggests that the loss of pigment in the iris may have been a selected trait to enhance vision in low-light settings. The amount of pigment in the eye impacts its color, with darker eyes often having higher levels of proteins like melanin. As pigmentation decreases, light scatters through the eye, leading to a bluish hue.
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The genetic mutation that resulted in blue eyes likely occurred in a single person in ancient times and was passed down through generations. The reasons for the persistence of this mutation remain complex and may be linked to factors such as environmental conditions or resource allocation within the body.
Overall, the study sheds light on how blue eyes may have provided an advantage in certain lighting conditions, contributing to the spectrum of diversity seen in modern human populations.
