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What Is the Limbal Ring?

Christina Edwards
Christina Edwards

The limbal ring is a dark circle that can sometimes be seen around the colored part of the eye, or the iris. Studies have shown that prominent limbal rings are often associated with attractiveness. These rings are typically darker when a person is a child, and they will often fade with age. Colored contact lenses may be used to create the illusion of a darker limbal ring.

The corneal limbus is the part of the eye where the cornea meets the white part of the eye, which is known as the sclera. When this area appears as a dark ring, it is referred to as a limbal ring. This ring will sometimes be very dark or black. Other times, it will be a darker shade of the iris.

A limbal ring will not usually be very large. Typically, these rings are less than a millimeter thick. Some people, however, have very thick ones around their irises.

A big limbal ring will often make the whites of the eyes brighter. This is often associated with attractiveness. Although these rings are not usually noticeable to many people, people with these rings are often thought to have very attractive eyes.

Limbal rings are darker when a person is a child.
Limbal rings are darker when a person is a child.

Attractive eyes are often associated with attractive faces. Research has shown prominent limbal rings are considered to have more attractive faces. Test subjects in this research were shown pictures of several people, some with prominent rings and some without. The majority of the test subjects believed that the pictures of the people with the limbal rings were more attractive than the pictures of the people without them.

Contact lenses may be worn to enhance a person's limbal rings.
Contact lenses may be worn to enhance a person's limbal rings.

Limbal rings are typically only seen on young, healthy individuals. This is another reason that individuals with prominent ones are considered attractive. They are typically present when a child is born, and they are usually still somewhat visible throughout a person's childhood and into his 20s. As a person gets older or begins to have health problems, his limbal rings will begin to fade.

The limbal ring is the dark circle around the colored portion of the eye.
The limbal ring is the dark circle around the colored portion of the eye.

Contact lenses can sometimes be worn to enhance a person's limbal rings. These are usually nothing more than contact lenses with dark lines around the edges. Lines on limbal ring contacts can either be very thick, for a dramatic look, or thin, for a subtle look.

Discussion Comments

anon964298

I am 54, blue eyed and my limbal rings have always been very dark and stand out, and still do. At what age do they start fading, because I don't want them to fade.

anon936462

This dude once accused me of wearing coloured contacts just because my limbal rings were so pronounced! Now I know what to call them if that ever happens again.

anon926204

And here I thought there might be something wrong with me, but I just have some fancy eye-rings!

anon342884

That is really interesting but I think that your pheromones are the true indication of how attractive you are to someone else. Interesting thought, though.

anon308609

I am a makeup artist and found out this article to be true. The models always look younger and more beautiful when they have thicker limbal rings. Has anyone heard of Ophthoglow? They apparently can implant thicker limbal rings permanently.

anon308566

There is a surgery that can permanently make your limbal ring thicker than 1mm. It will make the white of your eyes brighter and make your eyes pop out more

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    • Limbal rings are darker when a person is a child.
      By: elisabetta figus
      Limbal rings are darker when a person is a child.
    • Contact lenses may be worn to enhance a person's limbal rings.
      By: kameel
      Contact lenses may be worn to enhance a person's limbal rings.
    • The limbal ring is the dark circle around the colored portion of the eye.
      By: shefkate
      The limbal ring is the dark circle around the colored portion of the eye.
    • Limbal rings are typically only seen on young, healthy individuals.
      By: iko
      Limbal rings are typically only seen on young, healthy individuals.