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What Is the Limbal Ring?

By Christina Edwards
Updated: Mar 03, 2024

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By anon964298 — On Aug 04, 2014

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.

By anon936462 — On Mar 01, 2014

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.

By anon926204 — On Jan 16, 2014

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

By anon342884 — On Jul 24, 2013

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.

By anon308609 — On Dec 11, 2012

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.

By anon308566 — On Dec 11, 2012

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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