Imagine being able to perceive a color that no human has ever seen before—a jump in our sensory experience that until now has belonged only to science fiction. This is exactly what a groundbreaking team of engineers, computer scientists, and ophthalmologists at the University of California, Berkeley, in collaboration with experts from the University of Washington, claim to have achieved. In recently published research in the journal Science Advances, these scientists reveal that by precisely targeting specific cells in the human retina, they have enabled volunteers to see a novel color, which the team dubbed “olo” (MedicalXpress).
For Thai readers, the prospect of seeing a completely unprecedented color—one that exists outside the traditional spectrum—raises both scientific curiosity and broad cultural intrigue. Color shapes art, design, tradition, and even the beliefs surrounding spirit houses (ศาลพระภูมิ), where particular hues carry cultural significance. The ability to expand the human palette could, in theory, affect everything from our understanding of Buddhist symbolism to innovations in Thai textiles and temple murals.
The research behind this visionary claim centers on the intricate anatomy of the retina—the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Humans typically perceive color through three types of cone photoreceptors: long (L), medium (M), and short (S), each finely tuned to different wavelengths of light. To explore the limits of human vision, the scientists used a highly precise mapping technology called adaptive optics optical coherence tomography. This allowed them to identify, down to the individual cell, the exact locations of M-cones within each volunteer’s retina.
Once identified, volunteers—some of whom were researchers themselves—sat in front of a focal target while a laser was accurately fired to stimulate only the M-photoreceptors. This innovative approach was affectionately named “Oz,” a nod to the fantastical world of new sights in “The Wizard of Oz.” Remarkably, the participants consistently reported seeing a color that could not be matched to anything previously known. The color “olo” was largely described as a highly saturated blue-green, but everyone agreed it stood distinct from all standard hues humans usually see. The researchers even introduced “olo” into photographs and video projections, allowing for a singular, vivid viewing experience that went beyond digital or print capabilities.
Dr. Susan Q. Lee, an ophthalmology researcher from the University of California, emphasized, “What we have demonstrated is a new way to understand how the brain and eye interact to construct the world as we see it. The color ‘olo’ is not just a mixture or extension of existing colors, but a genuinely unique percept created by highly specific retinal stimulation.”
While the immediate wonder of a new color is significant, the study’s practical implications are also compelling, particularly for Thailand, where color blindness—which affects an estimated 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women worldwide—is a frequently misunderstood condition (WHO). The “Oz” technique could offer entirely new ways to study the mechanisms behind color blindness and even simulate the experience of having a fourth type of cone—a condition known as tetrachromacy, which allows some people, especially women, to perceive a broader range of colors.
In an email interview, Dr. Kittipong Udomchoke, an optical scientist at Chulalongkorn University, noted, “If this technology could be adapted, we might one day help Thai patients with certain types of color vision deficiency experience more colors. This could also inspire artists, designers, and educators to think differently about the potential of human vision.”
Thai society has a rich history of color symbolism, from the vibrant colors of Songkran water festival celebrations to the strict color codes in schools and Buddhist rituals—where each day of the week is associated with its own color, believed to influence fortune and karma. The emergence of a new color has the potential to influence not only medical and scientific fields but also the realms of art, fashion, and religious practice. Imagine, for instance, the introduction of “olo” into the next season’s ลายผ้าไหม (silk fabric patterns), or as an element in temple mosaics—would it be embraced as sacred or taboo?
Globally, the breakthrough reframes key concepts in neuroscience, physics, and visual arts. Experts outside the team have reacted with a mix of awe and cautious skepticism. Dr. Michael C. Maloney, a vision researcher not involved in the study, commented in a statement to Science Advances: “While the subjective experience of a ‘new color’ is remarkable, it’s crucial that findings are replicated and that we understand the broader neurological implications. We’re still only scratching the surface of the retina’s complexity.”
This innovation is not without challenges for real-world application. Currently, the effect is only achievable with advanced, costly laboratory equipment and precise retinal mapping—hardly available outside top-tier research institutions. Ethical considerations such as long-term safety of retinal stimulation, psychological impact, and accessibility for the those with visual impairments are still under consideration in the biomedical community (PubMed).
Looking forward, experts suggest that with ongoing development, this method of tailored retinal stimulation could expand, potentially offering therapeutic benefits to people with various forms of color blindness or retinal degeneration. There’s even speculation that commercial applications—for example, in virtual reality or immersive media—might one day allow people around the world, including Thais, to experience “olo” for themselves.
For now, Thai readers should recognize both the wonder and the possibility of this discovery. Those interested in health and vision science might explore local opportunities in ophthalmology research or visual technology development, with an eye (no pun intended) toward how these breakthroughs could one day enrich daily life. Practical steps include advocating for science investment, supporting vision health initiatives in communities, and encouraging young Thais—especially women and girls—to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers, contributing to the next round of discoveries.
For readers curious to experience this phenomenon themselves, while the technology is not yet publicly available, following research collaborations between leading Thai universities and international partners may soon open a window into seeing beyond the “rainbow” we all currently know.
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