Beautiful Brown Eyes
October 27th, 2025
Photo: Ryan Carter
Writer: Amany Sayed
Editor: Isabella Acosta
It seemed an obvious truth to my younger self that some eyes were simply superior to others. In fact, I used to be so unhappy with my natural brown eyes that I was willing to burn my irises just for the chance of making them blue or green. I was dead set on the plan that as soon as I was “adult” enough to pay for and make the decision myself. I would undertake cosmetic eye surgery.
I saw endless beauty in light-colored eyes and felt envy reading about characters who had gorgeous jade green or ocean blue eyes. Why couldn’t the recessive gene have reached my DNA? What I hated the most, I think, was feeling "average." I didn’t want to have the same colored eyes as the majority of the world. As silly as it sounds, I wanted to be “special,” and I didn’t think I could be with brown eyes.
But with time, my perspective has changed. What was once my least favorite feature has become one of the physical attributes I now like most about myself. I could never imagine parting with my brown eyes, and I wish that I could go back in time, shake younger me, and tell her how beautiful she was. More than that, it is these eyes that have read my favorite books, watched my favorite movies, and recorded all my best memories for me. I could not imagine seeing things through any other lens but my own.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to appreciate the beauty in all eyes. After all, there’s a reason so many poets obsess over eyes being windows into the soul. Eyes tell a story. I see the sparkle in my friends’ eyes as they talk about something they love, or the truth when they claim to be fine. It’s not about the color of the iris, but all the expressions and life caught within them. Through our eyes, we are able to see the world, and within them, our own little worlds are contained.
Now, I see the beauty in brown eyes that I was too busy feeling sorry for myself to notice as a kid. I think seeing that beauty in other people –like my parents or siblings – has helped me see it reflected in myself. However, I’ve also learned to appreciate my eyes for more than just their outward appearance.
We get caught up worrying about the details of our features, from the colors of our eyes to the shapes of our noses, and we forget that it is our differences that make us who we are. The unique combination of all our traits makes each one of us beautiful.
Today, I find the idea of laser eye surgery laughable, but I empathize with the version of me that longed to look like someone else. As I mature, I find comfort in knowing that my eyes are mine alone and will stay the same beautiful brown.
