6 Difference Between Green Eyes And Hazel Eyes

A person’s eye color depends on how much of a pigment called melanin is stored in the front layers of the iris, the structure surrounding the pupil. Specialized cells called melanocytes produce the melanin, which is stored in intracellular compartment called melanosomes. People have roughly the same number of melanocytes, but the amount of melanin within melanosomes and the number of melanosomes within melanocytes both vary.

Eye color ranges depending on how much melanin is stored in these compartments. In people with blue eyes a minimal amount of melanin is found within a small number of melanosomes. People with green eyes have a moderate amount of melanin and moderate number of melanosomes, while people with brown eyes have high amount of melanin stored within many melanosomes.

Green Eyes

Only about 2 percent of the world’s population has green eyes. Green eyes are a genetic mutation that produces low levels of melanin, but more than blue eyes. As in blue eyes, there is no green pigment. Instead, because of the lack of melanin in the iris, more light scatters out, which make the eyes appear green. Changes in light make lighter eyes look like they are changing colors like a chameleon. The largest concentration of green eyed people is in Ireland, Scotland and Northern Europe. However, all races, including Caucasian, African, Asian, Pacific Islanders, Arabic, Hispanic and the Indigenous people of the Americas can have green eyes.  

What You Need To Know About Green Eyes

• The amount of melanin in green eyes is significantly less than that of hazel eyes.
• The dominant pigmentation in green eyes is referred to as pheomelanin which gives off a redish-yellow hue.
• Green eyes are generally characterized by a single solid hue.
• Green eyes are rarer as compared to having hazel eyes. Averagely around two percent of the world’s population has green eyes.
• Green eyes are generally viewed as more attractive than hazel eyes.
• The largest concentration of green eyed people is in Ireland, Scotland and Northern Europe.
• All races, including Caucasian, African, Asian, Pacific Islanders, Arabic, Hispanic and the Indigenous people of the Americas can have green eyes.  

Hazel Eyes

Hazel is a light or yellowish-brown color with specks of gold, green and brown in the center.  People with hazel eyes have almost as much melanin as those with brown eyes, but it’s mostly around the edge of the iris instead of the center. Having hazel eyes are typically common as compared to green eyes. Averagely, around 5% of global population has hazel eyes. Hazel color is common in Europe and America while rare in Asia and the Middle East.

What You Need To Know About Hazel Eyes

• The amount of melanin in hazel eyes is significantly more than in green eyes. Hazel eyes color is closer to color brown.
• There are two dominant pigmentation in hazel eyes include pheomelanin, like that of green eyes and eumelanin which is brownish black.
• All hazel eyes basically have some combination of two distinct colors when viewed under normal lighting-brown/gold and green coloring.
• Having hazel eyes are typically common as compared to green eyes. Averagely, around 5% of global population has hazel eyes.
• Hazel eyes are generally considered not much appealing.
• Hazel color is common in Europe and America while rare in Asia and the Middle East

Also Read: Difference Between Brown And Hazel Eyes

Difference Between Green Eyes And Hazel Eyes In Tabular Form

Also Read: Difference Between Dominant And Recessive Genes

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