August 13, 2012 
There is a connection between the color of our eyes and a disease called vitiligo…
Among those suffering from skin condition called vitiligo, 27 percent had blue or gray eyes, 43 percent had brown or very dark eyes, while 30 percent of people had green eyes or those in color of honey and hazelnut.
One interesting study reveals that the color of the eyes is associated with possible skin problems that we may experience later in life.
The results have thus shown that it is unlikely for people with blue eyes to develop vitiligo, while people with brown eyes have a greater tendency to this autoimmune skin disease that is manifested by disappearance of the pigment.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks normal pigment cells, causing irregular white patches on the skin and scalp. People with vitiligo have a higher risk of developing other autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune thyroid diseases, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
The study, published in the journal Nature Genetics has made an analysis of the health status of 450 people with and without skin diseases, taking into account their eye color. The analysis has identified 13 new genes that produce a prerequisite for the development of vitiligo, and the results showed a significantly lower percentage of people with blue or gray eyes, and a higher percentage of brown eyed people with vitiligo.
Among those suffering from vitiligo, 27% of people had blue or gray eyes, 43 percent had brown or very dark eyes, while 30 percent of people had green eyes or those in color of honey and hazelnut.
As scientists point out, what is most interesting in the whole study is that an abnormal immune reaction associated with vitiligo may have effects in reducing the risk of melanoma.
Otherwise, many people with vitiligo may feel depressed and suffer from a lack of confidence because of the white spots on their body. Due to the intense stress felt by people who suffer from vitiligo, there are many therapies. The best are those that use UV lamps. A certain number of people who used UV lamps claims that their pigmentation returned. There are, of course, home lamps, which are much more practical and rational, and with their help patients can spare on their household budget and thus avoid going to a lot of expensive treatments in the hospital or a specialized clinic.
Taken from: www.dnevno.hr