5 things you did not know about violet eyes
Genetics and the combination of genes entails, in most cases, formidable and interesting results when these genes selectively mutate or combine, concluding in such characteristic and strange traits that amaze many.
And one of these cases of combined genotypes are violet eyes, which are so strange that most people react with disbelief and / or perplexity when they learn of its existence. But it is not false: there are and always have been people with this eye color.
The name Alexandria
Contrary to what might be supposed, the name of the syndrome does not come from the well-known Egyptian city, but its origin is due to a person with this characteristic. It is known historically of the existence of a girl named Alexandra who, in the London of 1329, was born with violet eyes.
Her parents, thinking that it was the work of the devil, took her to the church, where the priest told them that, far from being a matter of the devil, it was a divine privilege to have this condition. Thanks to this, the phenomenon is also called the syndrome of the lucky ones.
Your genetics are combined
There are many factors involved in the composition of the color of the eyes, the most important of which is genetics. A minor or greater melanin pigmentation will radically change their color, and the determining factor of this is precisely the combination of the genes.
The causes of the violet color in the eyes mix several factors. The genes EYCL1, EYCL2, EYCL3 are responsible for pigmenting the eyes of blue or green, brown and the regulation of melanin respectively. A final gene, SLC24A4, also intervenes in the mutation and combination, resulting in a violet-colored genotype.
It is likely in Caucasian people
The genetic combination that results in lilac or violet colors are more likely in Caucasians, that is, in clear skin tones. This is because they are the ones that by nature develop the other genetic variables that allow this rare color.
Among these variables are the colors of green, gray and blue iris. There is no record of people of other racial variables with a probable tendency to this eye coloration.
Suspected of affecting health
Although this is one of the most discussed factors, the truth is that the Alexandria syndrome does not seem to be related to health conditions. Although, certain specific cases have apparently shown otherwise. The particular combination of genes that results in this color is due to a mutation, and could cause various types of conditions, atrophies or "ruptures" in the development of other genetic components.
We know of people with violet eyes who spent their entire lives with health problems. Despite this, it has not been possible to demonstrate any relationship between these health problems and violet eyes.
It does not have a treatment
Despite these factors, since it is unknown whether there is really a connection between the syndrome and the fragile state of health of several of the people documented to have this condition, due to its scarce appearance and few data to investigate it, there is no treatment for those they got it.
On the other hand, the drawbacks in relation to health on which there is evidence of people with violet eyes, do not have to do with visual issues. That is, the eyes of this color do not distort or deteriorate the visual quality of those who have them.
It is known that eyes of other colors, such as gray, green or blue, are more prone to visual ailments, precisely because melanin is a "blanket" that absorbs light. In the same way that dark skin tones absorb sunlight more efficiently and prevent burns, dark eyes do the same.
This is not the case with violet eyes, which continue to have a more red pigmentation than blue or green eyes, thanks to which there is no likelihood that these eyes are more prone to visual ailments.
