Would color changing eyes affect vision?












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I am writing a medieval fantasy story in which there is a race of humanoids who have multicolored eyes. Their eyes may change to bring out one color or another if they are experiencing very stressful/emotional situations. These humanoids are nearly the same as regular humans, except for their eyes, and they have a strong connection towards nature.



I was wondering if this eye change would be possible and whether or not it would have any impact upon a person's ability to see.










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  • $begingroup$
    While it's more subtle, plenty of humans have eyes that change color. My daughter and I both do, for example. I can go from clear blue to strong green to hazel, and everything in-between. Zero change in vision. Makes no difference at all.
    $endgroup$
    – Cyn
    6 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    The color of the iris affects vision in the same way that the color of the camera affects photographs. The iris is an (automatically) adjustable diaphragm, it is opaque and limits the amount of light entering the eye.
    $endgroup$
    – AlexP
    5 hours ago


















4












$begingroup$


I am writing a medieval fantasy story in which there is a race of humanoids who have multicolored eyes. Their eyes may change to bring out one color or another if they are experiencing very stressful/emotional situations. These humanoids are nearly the same as regular humans, except for their eyes, and they have a strong connection towards nature.



I was wondering if this eye change would be possible and whether or not it would have any impact upon a person's ability to see.










share|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    While it's more subtle, plenty of humans have eyes that change color. My daughter and I both do, for example. I can go from clear blue to strong green to hazel, and everything in-between. Zero change in vision. Makes no difference at all.
    $endgroup$
    – Cyn
    6 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    The color of the iris affects vision in the same way that the color of the camera affects photographs. The iris is an (automatically) adjustable diaphragm, it is opaque and limits the amount of light entering the eye.
    $endgroup$
    – AlexP
    5 hours ago
















4












4








4





$begingroup$


I am writing a medieval fantasy story in which there is a race of humanoids who have multicolored eyes. Their eyes may change to bring out one color or another if they are experiencing very stressful/emotional situations. These humanoids are nearly the same as regular humans, except for their eyes, and they have a strong connection towards nature.



I was wondering if this eye change would be possible and whether or not it would have any impact upon a person's ability to see.










share|improve this question











$endgroup$




I am writing a medieval fantasy story in which there is a race of humanoids who have multicolored eyes. Their eyes may change to bring out one color or another if they are experiencing very stressful/emotional situations. These humanoids are nearly the same as regular humans, except for their eyes, and they have a strong connection towards nature.



I was wondering if this eye change would be possible and whether or not it would have any impact upon a person's ability to see.







science-based biology fantasy-races humanoid vision






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 6 hours ago









Cyn

12k12758




12k12758










asked 7 hours ago









Hailey H.Hailey H.

314




314












  • $begingroup$
    While it's more subtle, plenty of humans have eyes that change color. My daughter and I both do, for example. I can go from clear blue to strong green to hazel, and everything in-between. Zero change in vision. Makes no difference at all.
    $endgroup$
    – Cyn
    6 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    The color of the iris affects vision in the same way that the color of the camera affects photographs. The iris is an (automatically) adjustable diaphragm, it is opaque and limits the amount of light entering the eye.
    $endgroup$
    – AlexP
    5 hours ago




















  • $begingroup$
    While it's more subtle, plenty of humans have eyes that change color. My daughter and I both do, for example. I can go from clear blue to strong green to hazel, and everything in-between. Zero change in vision. Makes no difference at all.
    $endgroup$
    – Cyn
    6 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    The color of the iris affects vision in the same way that the color of the camera affects photographs. The iris is an (automatically) adjustable diaphragm, it is opaque and limits the amount of light entering the eye.
    $endgroup$
    – AlexP
    5 hours ago


















$begingroup$
While it's more subtle, plenty of humans have eyes that change color. My daughter and I both do, for example. I can go from clear blue to strong green to hazel, and everything in-between. Zero change in vision. Makes no difference at all.
$endgroup$
– Cyn
6 hours ago




$begingroup$
While it's more subtle, plenty of humans have eyes that change color. My daughter and I both do, for example. I can go from clear blue to strong green to hazel, and everything in-between. Zero change in vision. Makes no difference at all.
$endgroup$
– Cyn
6 hours ago












$begingroup$
The color of the iris affects vision in the same way that the color of the camera affects photographs. The iris is an (automatically) adjustable diaphragm, it is opaque and limits the amount of light entering the eye.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
5 hours ago






$begingroup$
The color of the iris affects vision in the same way that the color of the camera affects photographs. The iris is an (automatically) adjustable diaphragm, it is opaque and limits the amount of light entering the eye.
$endgroup$
– AlexP
5 hours ago












2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















5












$begingroup$

No difference



Vision happens through the pupil, the dark "spot" in the centre of the eye. This is actually a clear window which light enters and through which it passes, through the lens & vitreous humour on its way to the retina at the back inner surface of the eye.



The coloured part is the iris and doesn't affect vision per se. The iris is muscular and contracts to lessen the amount of light passing through the pupil and relaxes to allow more light to pass through.



Iris colour is not relevant to vision.



As for the question of colour change being possible, of course! It's your world, you make up the rules!






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$









  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I could believe that darker colors make it easier to see in the same way athletes darkening their cheeks does - but I could also believe the total effect, if it exists, isn't significant (otherwise evolution would have favored dark brown eyes). Theoretically you could claim the reverse, light-colored eyes would be more reflective of light and a benefit to night vision. But, again, evolution doesn't appear to demonstrate this benefit. But, as you say, "make up the rules!"
    $endgroup$
    – JBH
    6 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @JBH -- Evolution is odd. Many deep sea fish have brown eyes. Why, if there is no sunlight to redirect? I think if archaic primates, long long ago, had been positively affected by pigmented zygomatic patches we'd have those by now. (An interesting feature for a fantasy race, that!) At best eye black (such as used by athletes) helps reduce glare a little bit. Doesn't help visual acuity.
    $endgroup$
    – elemtilas
    4 hours ago



















1












$begingroup$

Squid change color quite spectacularly by contracting and widening chromatophores, basically small spots of color that sit side by side. As you can see from classic prints, by positioning red, blue and green dots side by side, and varying their size, you can create the impression of most colors of the spectrum.



There might even be 'special effects' by having some chromatophores be filled with a fluorescing or even phosphoresing color, or something reflecting specular, creating the impression of metal.



Sight need not be impaired, or even affected by the color change. The 'color' of humans' eyes is defined by the iris, around the pupil. The pupil is the part that lets light pass, and if the light is then absorbed (as it needs to be for the light to be detected), the pupil appears black. The sclera (in humans thats the white part) can also be colored without any repercussions, and indeed is, in many species.






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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    5












    $begingroup$

    No difference



    Vision happens through the pupil, the dark "spot" in the centre of the eye. This is actually a clear window which light enters and through which it passes, through the lens & vitreous humour on its way to the retina at the back inner surface of the eye.



    The coloured part is the iris and doesn't affect vision per se. The iris is muscular and contracts to lessen the amount of light passing through the pupil and relaxes to allow more light to pass through.



    Iris colour is not relevant to vision.



    As for the question of colour change being possible, of course! It's your world, you make up the rules!






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$









    • 1




      $begingroup$
      I could believe that darker colors make it easier to see in the same way athletes darkening their cheeks does - but I could also believe the total effect, if it exists, isn't significant (otherwise evolution would have favored dark brown eyes). Theoretically you could claim the reverse, light-colored eyes would be more reflective of light and a benefit to night vision. But, again, evolution doesn't appear to demonstrate this benefit. But, as you say, "make up the rules!"
      $endgroup$
      – JBH
      6 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      @JBH -- Evolution is odd. Many deep sea fish have brown eyes. Why, if there is no sunlight to redirect? I think if archaic primates, long long ago, had been positively affected by pigmented zygomatic patches we'd have those by now. (An interesting feature for a fantasy race, that!) At best eye black (such as used by athletes) helps reduce glare a little bit. Doesn't help visual acuity.
      $endgroup$
      – elemtilas
      4 hours ago
















    5












    $begingroup$

    No difference



    Vision happens through the pupil, the dark "spot" in the centre of the eye. This is actually a clear window which light enters and through which it passes, through the lens & vitreous humour on its way to the retina at the back inner surface of the eye.



    The coloured part is the iris and doesn't affect vision per se. The iris is muscular and contracts to lessen the amount of light passing through the pupil and relaxes to allow more light to pass through.



    Iris colour is not relevant to vision.



    As for the question of colour change being possible, of course! It's your world, you make up the rules!






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$









    • 1




      $begingroup$
      I could believe that darker colors make it easier to see in the same way athletes darkening their cheeks does - but I could also believe the total effect, if it exists, isn't significant (otherwise evolution would have favored dark brown eyes). Theoretically you could claim the reverse, light-colored eyes would be more reflective of light and a benefit to night vision. But, again, evolution doesn't appear to demonstrate this benefit. But, as you say, "make up the rules!"
      $endgroup$
      – JBH
      6 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      @JBH -- Evolution is odd. Many deep sea fish have brown eyes. Why, if there is no sunlight to redirect? I think if archaic primates, long long ago, had been positively affected by pigmented zygomatic patches we'd have those by now. (An interesting feature for a fantasy race, that!) At best eye black (such as used by athletes) helps reduce glare a little bit. Doesn't help visual acuity.
      $endgroup$
      – elemtilas
      4 hours ago














    5












    5








    5





    $begingroup$

    No difference



    Vision happens through the pupil, the dark "spot" in the centre of the eye. This is actually a clear window which light enters and through which it passes, through the lens & vitreous humour on its way to the retina at the back inner surface of the eye.



    The coloured part is the iris and doesn't affect vision per se. The iris is muscular and contracts to lessen the amount of light passing through the pupil and relaxes to allow more light to pass through.



    Iris colour is not relevant to vision.



    As for the question of colour change being possible, of course! It's your world, you make up the rules!






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$



    No difference



    Vision happens through the pupil, the dark "spot" in the centre of the eye. This is actually a clear window which light enters and through which it passes, through the lens & vitreous humour on its way to the retina at the back inner surface of the eye.



    The coloured part is the iris and doesn't affect vision per se. The iris is muscular and contracts to lessen the amount of light passing through the pupil and relaxes to allow more light to pass through.



    Iris colour is not relevant to vision.



    As for the question of colour change being possible, of course! It's your world, you make up the rules!







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered 6 hours ago









    elemtilaselemtilas

    15.3k23465




    15.3k23465








    • 1




      $begingroup$
      I could believe that darker colors make it easier to see in the same way athletes darkening their cheeks does - but I could also believe the total effect, if it exists, isn't significant (otherwise evolution would have favored dark brown eyes). Theoretically you could claim the reverse, light-colored eyes would be more reflective of light and a benefit to night vision. But, again, evolution doesn't appear to demonstrate this benefit. But, as you say, "make up the rules!"
      $endgroup$
      – JBH
      6 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      @JBH -- Evolution is odd. Many deep sea fish have brown eyes. Why, if there is no sunlight to redirect? I think if archaic primates, long long ago, had been positively affected by pigmented zygomatic patches we'd have those by now. (An interesting feature for a fantasy race, that!) At best eye black (such as used by athletes) helps reduce glare a little bit. Doesn't help visual acuity.
      $endgroup$
      – elemtilas
      4 hours ago














    • 1




      $begingroup$
      I could believe that darker colors make it easier to see in the same way athletes darkening their cheeks does - but I could also believe the total effect, if it exists, isn't significant (otherwise evolution would have favored dark brown eyes). Theoretically you could claim the reverse, light-colored eyes would be more reflective of light and a benefit to night vision. But, again, evolution doesn't appear to demonstrate this benefit. But, as you say, "make up the rules!"
      $endgroup$
      – JBH
      6 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      @JBH -- Evolution is odd. Many deep sea fish have brown eyes. Why, if there is no sunlight to redirect? I think if archaic primates, long long ago, had been positively affected by pigmented zygomatic patches we'd have those by now. (An interesting feature for a fantasy race, that!) At best eye black (such as used by athletes) helps reduce glare a little bit. Doesn't help visual acuity.
      $endgroup$
      – elemtilas
      4 hours ago








    1




    1




    $begingroup$
    I could believe that darker colors make it easier to see in the same way athletes darkening their cheeks does - but I could also believe the total effect, if it exists, isn't significant (otherwise evolution would have favored dark brown eyes). Theoretically you could claim the reverse, light-colored eyes would be more reflective of light and a benefit to night vision. But, again, evolution doesn't appear to demonstrate this benefit. But, as you say, "make up the rules!"
    $endgroup$
    – JBH
    6 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    I could believe that darker colors make it easier to see in the same way athletes darkening their cheeks does - but I could also believe the total effect, if it exists, isn't significant (otherwise evolution would have favored dark brown eyes). Theoretically you could claim the reverse, light-colored eyes would be more reflective of light and a benefit to night vision. But, again, evolution doesn't appear to demonstrate this benefit. But, as you say, "make up the rules!"
    $endgroup$
    – JBH
    6 hours ago




    1




    1




    $begingroup$
    @JBH -- Evolution is odd. Many deep sea fish have brown eyes. Why, if there is no sunlight to redirect? I think if archaic primates, long long ago, had been positively affected by pigmented zygomatic patches we'd have those by now. (An interesting feature for a fantasy race, that!) At best eye black (such as used by athletes) helps reduce glare a little bit. Doesn't help visual acuity.
    $endgroup$
    – elemtilas
    4 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    @JBH -- Evolution is odd. Many deep sea fish have brown eyes. Why, if there is no sunlight to redirect? I think if archaic primates, long long ago, had been positively affected by pigmented zygomatic patches we'd have those by now. (An interesting feature for a fantasy race, that!) At best eye black (such as used by athletes) helps reduce glare a little bit. Doesn't help visual acuity.
    $endgroup$
    – elemtilas
    4 hours ago











    1












    $begingroup$

    Squid change color quite spectacularly by contracting and widening chromatophores, basically small spots of color that sit side by side. As you can see from classic prints, by positioning red, blue and green dots side by side, and varying their size, you can create the impression of most colors of the spectrum.



    There might even be 'special effects' by having some chromatophores be filled with a fluorescing or even phosphoresing color, or something reflecting specular, creating the impression of metal.



    Sight need not be impaired, or even affected by the color change. The 'color' of humans' eyes is defined by the iris, around the pupil. The pupil is the part that lets light pass, and if the light is then absorbed (as it needs to be for the light to be detected), the pupil appears black. The sclera (in humans thats the white part) can also be colored without any repercussions, and indeed is, in many species.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$


















      1












      $begingroup$

      Squid change color quite spectacularly by contracting and widening chromatophores, basically small spots of color that sit side by side. As you can see from classic prints, by positioning red, blue and green dots side by side, and varying their size, you can create the impression of most colors of the spectrum.



      There might even be 'special effects' by having some chromatophores be filled with a fluorescing or even phosphoresing color, or something reflecting specular, creating the impression of metal.



      Sight need not be impaired, or even affected by the color change. The 'color' of humans' eyes is defined by the iris, around the pupil. The pupil is the part that lets light pass, and if the light is then absorbed (as it needs to be for the light to be detected), the pupil appears black. The sclera (in humans thats the white part) can also be colored without any repercussions, and indeed is, in many species.






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$
















        1












        1








        1





        $begingroup$

        Squid change color quite spectacularly by contracting and widening chromatophores, basically small spots of color that sit side by side. As you can see from classic prints, by positioning red, blue and green dots side by side, and varying their size, you can create the impression of most colors of the spectrum.



        There might even be 'special effects' by having some chromatophores be filled with a fluorescing or even phosphoresing color, or something reflecting specular, creating the impression of metal.



        Sight need not be impaired, or even affected by the color change. The 'color' of humans' eyes is defined by the iris, around the pupil. The pupil is the part that lets light pass, and if the light is then absorbed (as it needs to be for the light to be detected), the pupil appears black. The sclera (in humans thats the white part) can also be colored without any repercussions, and indeed is, in many species.






        share|improve this answer











        $endgroup$



        Squid change color quite spectacularly by contracting and widening chromatophores, basically small spots of color that sit side by side. As you can see from classic prints, by positioning red, blue and green dots side by side, and varying their size, you can create the impression of most colors of the spectrum.



        There might even be 'special effects' by having some chromatophores be filled with a fluorescing or even phosphoresing color, or something reflecting specular, creating the impression of metal.



        Sight need not be impaired, or even affected by the color change. The 'color' of humans' eyes is defined by the iris, around the pupil. The pupil is the part that lets light pass, and if the light is then absorbed (as it needs to be for the light to be detected), the pupil appears black. The sclera (in humans thats the white part) can also be colored without any repercussions, and indeed is, in many species.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 6 hours ago

























        answered 7 hours ago









        bukwyrmbukwyrm

        4,230824




        4,230824






























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