True violet or purple eye color is extremely rare and primarily associated with specific conditions, most notably albinism.
Here's a breakdown:
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Albinism: The most common way for eyes to appear purple is through albinism. In individuals with albinism, there is a lack of melanin, the pigment responsible for color in the skin, hair, and eyes. The lack of pigment allows blood vessels in the iris to become more visible, which, combined with the scattering of light, can result in eyes that appear red or violet in certain lighting conditions. This is a rare phenomenon, occurring in less than 1% of the world's population.
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"Violet" Eyes Aren't Truly Violet: While some people, like Elizabeth Taylor, were said to have violet eyes, their eyes were actually a deep blue. The appearance of violet could be influenced by lighting, makeup, and the surrounding colors. The term "purple eyes" is often used colloquially to describe very deep blue eyes that may appear violet under certain conditions.
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Genetics: Eye color is determined by genetics, specifically the amount and type of melanin present in the iris. Multiple genes contribute to eye color, making it a complex trait. Without the specific genetic conditions (primarily albinism) that drastically reduce melanin, achieving true purple eye color is not possible.
In summary, while some individuals with deep blue eyes might appear to have violet eyes under specific lighting, true violet-colored eyes are extremely rare and are usually a result of the lack of pigment associated with albinism.
