Whether you’re leaning in for a first kiss, getting ready to propose or saying I love you for the 1,000th time, your eyes have already probably given you away. The eyes are the windows to the soul and can reveal deep emotions, attraction and even desire. This Valentine's Day, let’s see what your eyes are saying about you.
How do our eyes react to love?
Our eyes are one of our most important and basic means of communication. Ever looked at a beautiful stranger across the room? It isn’t just your facial expressions that are giving away your mood in situations like this, your eyes do too.
A study by Croes et al. found that while initial eye contact may not immediately lead to romantic attraction, it significantly affects interaction by increasing non-verbal expressiveness and self-disclosure. In other words, when people feel connected (or want to feel connected), they subconsciously use their eyes to scream and shout about it.
So, if you learn how to read what the eyes are doing in these situations, cupid might not be the only one getting busy this Valentine's Day!
Eye-related signs that someone may be in love with you
Dilated pupils - telltale signs of love
Your pupils are the openings at the centre of your irises, responsible for adjusting light intake. They're controlled by the brain's autonomic nervous system. Your pupils naturally expand in dim light and shrink in bright light. But they also dilate in response to strong emotions like attraction and love.
Research from the University of Chicago found that if a person is looking at someone they desire, their pupils will dilate without them even realising. If you’re unsure whether someone is falling for you, watch their pupils closely. This reaction occurs because the brain associates love and attraction with heightened arousal, causing physiological responses such as increased heart rates and pupil dilation.
It's important to remember that other things can cause your pupils to dilate, including light and medication. So, don’t fall head over heels straight away!
Uneven eye contact distribution
If somebody gives you most of their attention in a group setting, they may be interested. People also tend to position their bodies towards their love interest subconsciously. This can also mean that this person is particularly comfortable with you. Other signs can be mimicking body language. Again, this doesn’t prove their love for you, but it doesn’t rule it out either.
The telling gaze
Ever been walking down the street and noticed someone who was just your type walking towards you? As they passed, did they make eye contact with you and then quickly look ahead again?
If those kinds of looks have kept your head spinning for the rest of the day, you aren’t alone. But does it mean they’re into you? Well, studies into early left parietal activity elicited by direct gaze have shown that they might be. When someone makes eye contact with you as you’re passing in the street, this can be an indication that they are interested in you.
So, the next time it happens to you, it might be a good idea to smile or spark up a conversation.
The 'one eye' test
If a person raises one eyebrow while talking to you or squints slightly when focusing on you, it could be a sign of deep attraction and intrigue. Don’t get too carried away here. It could also be that they haven’t had an eye test in a while, or that they are doing their best Dwyane “The Rock” Johnson impression, but it might also mean that they are deeply into you and everything you’re saying.
Shining eyes
Did you know that being in love can actually make your eyes shine? This occurs as your eyes become more moist in the presence of a loved one, making them appear shiny in the reflection of the light.
So, if you’re trying to act cool in front of the person you love, the moisture in your eyes might just give you away.
The power of eye contact
Eye contact is so powerful that it could be the key to a long and happy relationship. Prolonged eye contact has been linked to the release of phenylethylamine, a chemical responsible for attraction, as well as oxytocin, often called the 'love hormone.'
Studies suggest that couples deeply in love tend to stare into each other's eyes significantly more than those in casual relationships. Harvard psychologist Zick Rubin found that couples who were deeply in love maintained eye contact about 75% of the time when talking, compared to the usual 30-60% with others.
Even if you’re wearing sunglasses, the intensity of eye contact can still be felt, but perhaps isn't quite as impactful. Some researchers believe that focusing on someone's eyes for extended periods can increase feelings of closeness and intimacy, even if attraction wasn’t present initially.
Top tip: Don’t stare, that’s creepy, but a loving gaze into your favourite person’s eyes can leave them weak at the knees.
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Does eye colour make a difference?
While eye colour itself doesn’t determine love, studies suggest that some people may subconsciously be drawn to certain eye colours based on early-life relationships. Additionally, the contrast between the iris and sclera can subtly influence attraction. A study by Gründl et al. found that while the 'Blue-Eyes Stereotype' suggests blue eyes are often perceived as attractive, empirical data shows that eye colour doesn't significantly impact attractiveness ratings.
So, eye colour doesn’t really influence love as much as people think - and the myth about blue-eyed lovers is exactly that - a myth. However, if your lover had a positive experience with someone with green eyes in early life, this might just give them a green-eyed attraction in later life.
Secrets in the eyes: Medical treatments and eye responses
Certain medical treatments, including those for neurological conditions, can affect how our eyes react. For instance, some medications can prevent pupils from dilating normally or reduce the shine in a person's eyes.
If someone has undergone treatment that impacts their vision, it might alter their ability to express emotions through their eyes. However, love and attraction often transcend these physical factors, so if they love you, they’ll find plenty of other ways to show it.
Final thoughts: Love is in the eyes
From dilated pupils to extended eye contact, the eyes hold a wealth of information about a person's emotions. Whether you're talking, exchanging glances across a crowded room or passing each other in the street, watching for these signs can help you gauge interest and attraction.
So, next time you lock eyes with someone special, pay attention - you might just be looking at your future love story unfolding.
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