From the Research
No, not all newborns have blue eyes. The eye color of newborns can vary depending on their ethnicity and genetic background. According to a study published in 2016 1, the birth prevalence of iris color among full-term newborns was 63.0% brown, 20.8% blue, 5.7% green/hazel, 9.9% indeterminate, and 0.5% partial heterochromia. This suggests that the majority of newborns do not have blue eyes.
Factors Influencing Eye Color
- Melanin, a pigment that develops in the iris after birth, determines eye color
- Newborns typically have less melanin, resulting in lighter eye colors initially
- As melanin production increases during the first year of life, eye color may change, usually darkening
- The final eye color is genetically determined, with brown being dominant over blue
Genetic Determination of Eye Color
- Parents with brown eyes can have blue-eyed children if both carry recessive blue-eye genes
- Two blue-eyed parents will almost always have blue-eyed children
- A study published in 1997 2 found that eye color changes can occur after early childhood, with some individuals experiencing changes in eye color throughout adolescence and adulthood.
Importance of Early Eye Examinations
- Early detection of eye problems, such as amblyopia, is crucial for effective treatment
- A study published in 2019 3 recommends that all children should have a comprehensive eye examination by an individual with the expertise to detect risk factors for amblyopia before the age of 5 years.