Do Natural Purple Eyes Truly Exist? Cool Facts to Know

Do people with purple eyes exist? Yes, purple, violet, lavender, or lilac is a human eye color that exists. This unique eye color can result from genetic mutations, potentially associated with albinism, or due to eye inflammation.

Purple eyes are exceptionally rare, and not all individuals with albinism exhibit this color, making it the rarest eye color globally.

In the modern era, achieving purple eyes is easier with colored contact lenses. Explore the article for more insights into the fascinating world of purple eye color and discover guidelines for choosing the perfect purple contacts.

Are Purple Eyes Real? Do Natural Violet Eyes Exist?

Yes, natural purple, violet, lavender, or lilac eyes do exist, but they are extremely rare. This unique eye color can result from genetic mutations, possibly linked to albinism, or be caused by factors like eye inflammation and certain eye diseases.

❗ If there's a sudden change in eye color, it's advisable to consult a doctor.

What Causes Purple Eyes? How Do People Get Violet Eyes?

Genetics

Your hair, skin, and eye hues are determined by melanin produced by melanocytes. While everyone has the same number of melanocytes, the varying melanin levels they produce result in different skin, hair, and eye colors. Higher melanin levels lead to darker features, while lower levels result in fairer tones.

Eye color is determined by the iris, which has two layers. The first layer dictates the eye color, while the second layer holds brown pigment. This applies universally, regardless of apparent eye color.

In purple, blue, and grey eyes, the first layer has minimal pigmentation. The unique color arises from how light reflects off collagen fibers and other structures in this iris layer.

Albinism

Albinism encompasses genetic conditions that influence melanin production in hair, skin, and eyes, with variations in its effects on different features.

- Oculocutaneous albinism: affects melanin in all three, including hair, skin, and eyes.

- Ocular albinism: solely affects the eyes, leaving hair and skin with normal pigmentation.

Ocular albinism, rarer than oculocutaneous albinism, is linked to a GPR143 gene mutation crucial for eye pigmentation.

Internal Eye Inflammation

Uveitis is another natural factor behind purple eyes.

It appears when the uvea, an internal eye layer, undergoes inflammation. This inflammation brings about symptoms such as light sensitivity, pain, and blurred vision, and in certain instances, it can change eye color, giving them a violet or purple appearance.

Do Purple Eyes Come in Different Shades?

The color of light-colored eyes is influenced by incoming light and its reflection, causing them to exhibit various colors depending on the lighting conditions and dressing-ups. Purple eyes may come in various shades, ranging from a subtle lavender or violet to a deeper and more pronounced purple hue.

- Grey purple eyes: feature a bright light violet color. The exact shade may vary, but it generally involves a blending of grey tones with subtle hints of purple.

- Blue purple eyes: tend to be dark purple eye colors. They typically have a mix of blue and purple hues, creating a unique and captivating blend of colors.

- Pink purple eyes: can happen to people with ocular albinism. When the blood vessels inside show through the iris, the eyes can look pink or red.

Are Purple Eyes Rare? How Rare Are Purple Eyes?

Purple-eyed people make up less than 1% of the world's population, making purple, violet, lavender, or lilac one of the rarest eye colors globally. Even in individuals with albinism, who are rare at 1 in 20,000, violet eyes are uncommon, with most having other eye colors like blue, hazel, green, or brown.

How Many People Have Had Purple Eyes?

People with purple eyes account for less than 1% of the global population. With only about 1 in 20,000 people in the U.S. having albinism, and not all of them having violet eyes, the rarity of this eye color is evident.

Elizabeth Taylor's eyes were famously violet or purple, contributing to her unique appearance. Despite some debate over the late actress's eye color, experts confirm that her eye color, whether deep blue or violet, was authentic and not due to colored contact lenses, which weren't commercially available until 1983.

“There are various shades of blues and greys, with many in-between. Violet may have been her typical pigmentation,” Norman Saffra, chairman of the ophthalmology department at the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., told Live Science. “It’s possible to have that eye color; it all depends on the amount of melanin.”

Do Purple Eyes for Sure Mean Illness?

Purple eyes are not necessarily a sign of illness, but they may carry potential risks.

1. If your violet eyes result from uveitis, inflammation can damage delicate eye structures, possibly worsening over time and leading to rare cases of vision loss.

2. When the purple eye color is genetically determined, there are usually no direct health risks associated with it; however, the underlying genetic mutation may be linked to other conditions like lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome.

3. If purple eyes are a result of albinism, it's essential to minimize UV radiation exposure to protect both your eyes and skin. Also, keep your mood happy. Your purple eyes are super cool!

Additionally, people with lighter eyes may also be at a higher risk of eye melanoma, or ocular melanoma, which can lead to complications such as glaucoma, vision loss, and the spread of cancer to other parts of the body.

Have You Ever Tried Purple Eye Contacts?

Purple eyes symbolize royalty and divinity. Ancient Romans associated them with wealth, and Native Americans saw them as a protective sign. Nowadays, purple eyes are popular in animes, reflecting different characters' personalities.

If you want to bring your favorite anime role to life or emulate the enchanting gaze of Elizabeth Taylor, consider trying colored contact lenses. Always consult with an eye doctor for a vision assessment before experimenting with new contacts.

Shop purple eye contacts at TTDeye! Whether you need prescription or non-prescription (Plano) lenses, we've got you covered. Get a prescription and select lenses that match your eyes and lifestyle.

For brown eyes, achieve a natural look with Vanilla Purple (left in the picture below), or make a bold statement with more opaque options like Stardust Violet (right). If you have blue eyes, consider vibrant violet shades such as lilac or lavender.

Conclusion

People with purple eyes do exist. This unique eye color, ranging from purple and violet to lavender or lilac, is extremely rare! Now, with the convenience of colored contact lenses, anyone can embrace the allure of purple eyes. Explore TTDeye for both natural and cosplay styles!