Eye color is determined by the amount of a single pigment called melanin that is present in the iris of the eye. Melanin is a dark brown pigment. If a lot of melanin is present, the eye will appear brown or even black. If very little melanin is present, the iris will appear blue. Less melanin produces green, gray, or light brown eyes.
In general, Caucasian babies are born with blue eyes because melanin hasn’t been deposited in the irises of their eyes yet. African, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American babies, on the other hand, are often born with brown or black eyes. Melanin production generally increases during the first few months of a baby’s life, after which eye color changes and the color is stable by about six months of age.
Next: Do people who sleep less live longer?
Previous: Why are you hungry an hour after eating Chinese food?
"Are all babies born with blue eyes?" was posted on Monday, January 14th, 2008 at 9:55 am.