No, honey does not change eye color. This is a common myth with no scientific evidence to support it. Applying honey to your eyes or consuming it will not alter your iris color.
Why the Myth Persists?
The belief that honey can change eye color likely stems from anecdotal evidence and a misunderstanding of how eye color is determined. Eye color is primarily determined by genetics and the amount of melanin in the iris. Neither honey application nor consumption affects melanin production or distribution within the iris.
Several sources debunk this myth:
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Multiple Quora threads address this misconception directly, stating that neither topical application nor ingestion of honey impacts eye color. These responses cite the genetic determination of eye color as the primary reason. (https://www.quora.com/Does-the-consumption-of-honey-lighten-eye-colors, https://www.quora.com/Is-it-true-that-honey-is-capable-of-changing-your-eye-colour-naturally, https://www.quora.com/Are-you-sure-honey-changed-your-eye-color-and-no-side-effects-because-I-m-hesitant-to-try)
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The American Academy of Ophthalmology explicitly labels the idea of using honey to change eye color as an "urban myth." (https://www.aao.org/eye-health/ask-ophthalmologist-q/honey-in-eyes-to-lighten-them)
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Medical News Today reinforces the lack of scientific evidence supporting honey's ability to change eye color and highlights the potential for infection from introducing non-sterile substances to the eye. (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321689)
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Healthline similarly notes the absence of evidence supporting this claim, emphasizing that honey application won't penetrate past the superficial layers of the cornea where no pigment exists. (https://www.healthline.com/health/honey-in-eyes)
Potential Risks
Applying honey to your eyes carries a risk of infection because it's not sterile. Therefore, attempting to change your eye color with honey is not only ineffective but also potentially harmful.
