When babies are born, in the vast majority of cases we see that their eye color is blue or green. But again, most of the time the eye color does not stay constant and starts to change after a certain period of time. Eventually, the true color settles in after a while and this becomes the permanent eye color. So when does a baby’s eye color become apparent? Is there a definite time for this?
Where does the color of the eyes come from?
According to scientists, there are two main genes that play an active role in eye color. OCA2 and HERC2 genes are said to be the determining factors here. These genes are located on chromosome 15, one of the 23 pairs of chromosomes in humans.
In other words, eye color is determined by the genetics of individuals and gains clarity according to inherited genes.
Most of these inherited codes related to eye color are also linked to the production, storage and transport of a pigment called melanin. In other words, the production of melanin depends on genetic codes and production starts over time according to this genetic information.
Melonin is produced by specialized cells called melanocytes and the pigment is stored in vessels called melanosomes.
The amount of melanin production and the number of melanosomes varies from person to person, resulting in variations in eye colors. We can say that this is the main reason why different shades and darkness are different.
How are the eyes colored?
Let’s talk about how the eyes are colored. For this, you will need to get to know the layer we call the iris closely. The iris is the part that surrounds the black part of the eye and controls the amount of light entering the eye. It is divided into two separate layers, the front layer and the back layer.
The amount of pigment in the anterior layer is the factor that determines the eye color. In this section there are melanocytes that contain all the melanin. The density of melanin pigment also determines the color of the eye. The more active the melanocytes are, the more melanin is produced and the eye color appears accordingly.
Light-colored eyes, such as blue or green, have less pigment, while dark eyes, such as brown, have darker colors because they have more melanin pigment.
When Does a Baby’s Eye Color Change?
Back to our topic. All these processes we have described can be shown as the processes of the eye gaining its own color.
When a baby is born, the iris does not contain much melamine. Due to the reflection of light from the iris and the lack of melanin, babies’ eyes may appear blue, green or even gray after birth.
Over time, melanocytes develop and begin to produce melanin. After the pigment is produced, the eye begins to take on its original color. Within 6-12 months, the actual eye color is formed and usually becomes permanent.
Melanin level is important here again. If melanin is produced less, the eye color may remain light, that is, in shades such as blue green. As a result, the color of the eyes becomes suitable for the genetic structure within 6-12 months.
Eye color change progresses as follows:
- Less Melanin Production: Eyes remain light (blue or green).
- Medium Melanin Production: The eyes turn into hazel eyes.
- Intense Melanin Production: Eyes become brown.
In short, the eye color of babies is determined between 6 and 12 months. In this process, the color may remain in light tones or turn to dark tones.
