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Unique morphology of the human eye

Author

Listed:
  • Hiromi Kobayashi

    (Basic Biology, Faculty of Bioscience and Biotechnology (c/o Faculty of Science), Tokyo Institute of Technology)

  • Shiro Kohshima

    (Basic Biology, Faculty of Bioscience and Biotechnology (c/o Faculty of Science), Tokyo Institute of Technology)

Abstract

Human eyes have a widely exposed white sclera surrounding the darker coloured iris, making it easy to discern the direction in which they are looking1. We compared the external morphology of primate eyes in nearly half of all primate species, and show that this feature is uniquely human. Humans have the largest ratio of exposed sclera in the eye outline, which itself is elongated horizontally. We suggest that these are adaptations to extend the visual field by allowing greater eye movement, especially in the horizontal direction, and to enhance the ease of detecting the gaze direction of another individual.

Suggested Citation

  • Hiromi Kobayashi & Shiro Kohshima, 1997. "Unique morphology of the human eye," Nature, Nature, vol. 387(6635), pages 767-768, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:387:y:1997:i:6635:d:10.1038_42842
    DOI: 10.1038/42842
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    Cited by:

    1. Krupka, Erin L. & Croson, Rachel T.A., 2016. "The differential impact of social norms cues on charitable contributions," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 149-158.
    2. Nicolas Burra & Dirk Kerzel & Nathalie George, 2016. "Early Left Parietal Activity Elicited by Direct Gaze: A High-Density EEG Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(11), pages 1-23, November.

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