blueeyed

Blue-eyed describes people whose irises appear blue. The term can be written as blue-eyed or blueeyed, depending on style. Blue eyes are typically characterized by low melanin in the iris and the scattering of light, which produces a blue appearance rather than a blue pigment.

Biologically, eye color is determined by multiple genes, with the HERC2 and OCA2 region on chromosome 15 playing a key role by regulating melanin production in the iris. Other genes influence pigment distribution and iris structure. Blue eyes are most common in populations of Northern and Central European descent, but recent migrations have made blue eyes appear in many populations worldwide. Eye color in newborns often shifts during the first year as melanin content increases.

Culturally, "blue-eyed" has figurative uses in English and other languages, often describing innocence or favored status, as in the idiom "the blue-eyed boy." It also appears in literature, film, and branding as a descriptive trait or aesthetic reference.

Blue eyes do not indicate a medical condition. They reflect natural variation in human pigmentation and development. Lighting and iris pattern can affect perceived color, making eye color appear lighter or darker in different contexts.