Blue eyes are believed to have originated from a genetic mutation that occurred between 6,000 and 10,000 years ago in the near east. This genetic mutation changed the color of people's eyes from brown to blue. It is believed that the mutation was caused by the cold weather in the area, forcing people to migrate further north and away from the equator. This allowed for light-colored eyes to become more common, and eventually blue eyes became the predominant eye color.