You may notice something intriguing when you look into newborn eyes: even if their parents had brown or green eyes, many newborns have blue or grayish-blue eyes.
This isn’t just a coincidence or a genetic trick—it’s part of how human eye color develops and changes over time.
Understanding why babies are often born with blue eyes requires us to take a closer look at biology, genetics, and even a bit of history.
In this blog, we will discuss how genetics affects newborn eyes.
The Science Behind Newborn Eyes
Melanin, the same pigment that gives our skin and hair their color, is the primary factor that determines eye color. It is produced in the iris, the colored part of the eye. The more melanin you have, the darker your eyes will be. Green eyes have a modest quantity of melanin, blue eyes have tiny amounts, and brown eyes have a lot.
Many newborn eyes’ irises do not yet have a substantial amount of melanin. This is particularly true for infants with European ancestry. This causes light to scatter through the iris tissue, reflecting a blue hue, much like sunlight scattering in the sky.
So, when you see newborn eyes blue, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll stay that way—it simply means their melanin production hasn’t fully kicked in yet.
Why Eye Color Changes Over Time
During the first few months of life, newborn eyes continue to develop. The cells in the iris, called melanocytes, begin producing more melanin. The eyes may gradually deepen to brown, hazel, or green, depending on the amount of melanin that is deposited.
Although changes can last until almost three years of age, many babies’ eye colors start to alter noticeably between six and twelve months of age. By that point, eye color is usually permanent.
This explains why a newborn with bright blue eyes at birth could end up with deep dark ones; it all comes down to how their genes affect the melanin production.
The Genetics Behind Newborn Eyes Color
While melanin explains the mechanics, genetics determines the blueprint. Two main genes—OCA2 and HERC2—play the biggest role in deciding eye color. Variations in these genes control how much melanin ends up in the iris.
It’s a common myth that eye color follows a simple dominant-recessive pattern (like brown always beating blue). In reality, eye color is a polygenic trait, meaning multiple genes contribute. That’s why two parents with brown eyes might have a blue-eyed baby, and two blue-eyed parents almost always pass on blue eyes—but rare exceptions do exist.
The genetic lottery, combined with melanin development, makes eye color one of the most fascinating and unpredictable traits in human appearance.
Why Blue Eyes at Birth Are So Common
Although not all newborns have blue eyes, lighter-skinned people—particularly those with European heritage—are more likely to have them. Due to increased levels of melanin at birth, babies of African, Asian, or Hispanic ancestry may have dark brown eyes from birth.
For lighter-skinned babies, the temporary blue eyes are essentially a default state until melanin production adjusts. Think of it like a “placeholder” color that shifts as their genes begin directing pigment levels in the iris.
Myths and Cultural Beliefs About Blue Eyes
Throughout history, blue eyes—especially in babies—have carried symbolic meaning. In some cultures, blue-eyed babies were thought to be especially blessed or protected. Others believed that a baby’s eye color could predict their personality or future.
There’s also the common misconception that babies with blue eyes are more likely to stay blue-eyed. The odds of a baby’s eye color remaining blue depend heavily on genetics. If both parents have blue eyes, the chances are higher. If both have brown eyes, it’s much less likely.
Eye Color and Sun Protection
It’s interesting to note that melanin in the iris serves as a UV protector in addition to providing color. Lighter-eyed babies can be more vulnerable to sunlight. For this reason, regardless of eye color, pediatricians frequently advise caps or baby sunglasses for extended outside time.
The Beauty of Newborn Eyes Color Change
Parents often find it fascinating to watch their baby’s eyes evolve over time. Those first months can feel magical as tiny shifts in hue reveal the child’s unique look. It’s one of the many subtle transformations that make early parenthood such a wonder-filled experience.
Whether newborn eyes stay blue, shift to green, or turn deep brown, every shade has its own story—and each one reflects a complex interplay of genetics, biology, and natural development.
Conclusion
Why, therefore, do newborns frequently have blue eyes? It all boils down to the lack of melanin at birth, the gradual activation of pigment-producing cells, and the influence of genetic variation. Newborns’ blue eyes serve as a lovely reminder that people change all the time, even in their earliest moments, but they are not a guarantee of permanent eye color.
Watching newborn eyes transform is like witnessing nature’s artistry at work—a delicate blend of science, inheritance, and individuality.
Book an appointment with our optometrist in Crystal Lake and Algonquin, Dr. Jeffrey Porter, for your babies.
Dr. Jeffrey Porter and his associates are experienced eye doctors in Crystal Lake and Algonquin, IL. They are dedicated to providing exceptional eye checkups to residents of Crystal Lake, Algonquin, Illinois, and surrounding areas.
Contact us:
Walmart Vision Center Crystal Lake, IL
815-477-4053
Walmart Vision Center Algonquin, IL
847-458-5796
