Thursday, 15 May 2014

Does Eye Colour Predict Response to Pain?

The colour of  our eyes may predict our response to pain

Pain is known to be linked to many factors including gender; age; hair colour and so on and is likely to be governed genetically. For instance having red hair can mean an increased resistance to anaesthetics and and increased propensity to anxiety.

A recent study looking at pre and post partum women wanted to see if eye colour had a link to how these subjects responded to pain. The subjects included 24 dark eyed ( brown and hazel) people and 34 light eyed individuals(blue and green).

Those with dark eyes had increased levels of anxiety; sleep disturbance; pain  on rest and with movement and an increased likelihood of depression.

This indicates a genetic control the molecular physiology of pain.

American Pain Society 33rd Annual Meeting