Light sensitivity and your eyes
Eye color is such a minor thing most of us don’t think about it every day, but that certainly doesn’t mean it’s not important. Have you ever noticed that your brown-eyed friends seem unphased by changes in lighting? Or your blue eye friends squinting on the beach? Well, there’s a reason for that.
Turns out, eye color can affect how sensitive someone is to light. Weird, right? Let’s talk about it.
The lighter they are…
According to an ophthalmologist at Duke University, bright lights have an increased impact on people with light eyes. Whether your eyes are green, blue, gray, hazel, or some combination of those colors, you are naturally predisposed to being a little more sensitive to light.
This difference in sensitivity is likely due to the natural levels of melanin present in your eyes. Melanin is a biological pigment in most people’s bodies that allows hair, eyes, and skin to have a darker appearance. That pigment isn’t just for looks; it also provides protection by absorbing incoming light rays. Light eyes are more sensitive to bright lights because more rays are passing through their iris and into their retina rather than being absorbed by the melanin.
So, which eye color is most sensitive to light? Blue and green are the most sensitive eye color in bright lights as they have the least amount of melanin. About 16% of the global population have light eyes, or roughly 1.2 BILLION people, which makes light sensitivity a common issue. Luckily, it’s 2022, so there are lots of options to protect your eyes.
What to do about sensitive eyes
The best thing you can do for sensitive eyes is to protect them from bright light. Wear sunglasses (maybe from our friends at Liingo Eyewear?) or talk to your eye doctor about transition contact lenses. Giving your eyes breaks from bright light is crucial to eye comfort. Whether you’re outside in the sun or inside under fluorescent lights, finding ways to create a dimmer environment for sensitive eyes is key to keeping them comfortable.
With that in mind, there is a significant difference between slight light sensitivity and intense photophobia. A strong aversion to the light due to eye pain is not typical and is often associated with other medical conditions. If you have persistent eye discomfort when in bright environments, consult with a medical professional.