Education
Will My Baby Have Blue Eyes: A Genetic Explanation & Eye Color Chart
Eye color is determined by genetics, but predicting a baby’s eye color isn’t always straightforward. Here’s a simplified explanation:
Genetic Basics
- Eye color is influenced by multiple genes, but two main genes play a significant role: OCA2 and HERC2
- Each parent contributes one allele (gene variant) for each gene
- Brown is generally dominant over blue
Eye Color Probability Chart
Parent 1 | Parent 2 | Brown Eyes | Blue Eyes | Green Eyes |
Brown | Brown | 75% | 6.25% | 18.75% |
Brown | Blue | 50% | 50% | Small chance |
Blue | Blue | Very rare | ~99% | Very rare |
Green | Green | 25% | 25% | 50% |
Brown | Green | 50% | 12.5% | 37.5% |
Blue | Green | Small chance | 50% | 50% |
Important Notes
- A baby’s eye color can change in the first year of life
- Final eye color is usually set by age 3
- Unexpected eye colors can occur due to genetic variations
Remember, while this chart provides probabilities, genetics can be unpredictable, and surprises are always possible!