A team of scientists in the United States has announced the discovery of a new colour that no human has ever seen before. Through a groundbreaking experiment involving laser technology, researchers were able to stimulate specific retinal cells, enabling human colour perception to extend beyond its natural limits. The discovery, which could pave the way for new insights into colour vision, is being hailed as a major scientific achievement.

A New Dimension in Seeing Colour

The newly discovered colour, named “olo,” is described by the research team as a highly saturated blue-green hue. However, the scientists stress that the name “olo” doesn’t fully capture the unique visual experience of the colour. Austin Roorda, a vision scientist involved in the study, emphasized, “There’s no way to reproduce this colour on a screen or in print.” The colour can only be experienced through the precise laser technique used in the experiment, making it unlike anything seen in nature or through modern technology.

How ‘Olo’ Was Created

To create “olo,” the scientists leveraged the natural mechanisms of human vision, which relies on three types of cone cells in the retina: L-cones (sensitive to red), M-cones (sensitive to green), and S-cones (sensitive to blue). Normally, light stimulates a combination of all three cones, allowing us to perceive a wide range of colours. However, no natural light can solely activate the M-cones, which led the researchers to focus on these cells specifically.

Using a highly advanced scanning laser, the team mapped a small part of the retina and pinpointed the M-cones. Once located, the laser targeted these cones individually while compensating for the natural movement of the eyes. This precise stimulation of M-cones resulted in a vibrant patch of colour that appeared to the participant’s vision—about twice the size of the full moon. Because only the M-cones were activated, the brain registered this as a colour outside the usual human spectrum.

The name “olo” was chosen because it corresponds to the binary code “010,” signifying the activation of only the middle (M) cones.

Disagreement in the Scientific Community

While the discovery has generated excitement, not all experts agree on its significance. John Barbur, a British vision scientist, expressed skepticism, calling the result an especially saturated shade of green. He argued that the colour may not truly be beyond the human spectrum but rather a perceptually enhanced version of a colour we already see. Barbur also questioned the scientific value of the work, suggesting that it was more of an experiment in colour saturation than a breakthrough discovery.

Despite these critiques, the research team remains confident in their findings and sees far-reaching potential for their system. The technology, known as “Oz Vision,” could help scientists better understand how the brain processes colour and potentially lead to new treatments for people with colour blindness or degenerative eye diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa.

Applications for Colour Blindness and Eye Diseases

The researchers hope that their discovery will not only push the boundaries of colour vision science but also provide new approaches to treating vision impairments. The “Oz Vision” system could, in theory, help patients with conditions like colour blindness experience a broader range of colours or assist those suffering from degenerative eye diseases by stimulating specific retinal cells to restore lost visual functions.

No Everyday Use – Yet

Despite the excitement surrounding “olo,” the colour is unlikely to make its way into everyday technology anytime soon. Lead researcher Ren Ng made it clear that this discovery is still very much in the realm of basic science. “You won’t be seeing ‘olo’ on your smartphone, TV, or even in a VR headset anytime soon,” Ng said. The colour can only be perceived through laser stimulation of the retina, meaning it’s currently restricted to laboratory conditions.

However, the implications of the discovery could be far-reaching, offering a deeper understanding of how the human brain processes and interprets colour. As research in this area continues, future applications of this technology may help those with vision impairments experience the world in new and surprising ways.

The discovery of “olo” offers an exciting glimpse into the future of colour science and its potential applications in medicine. While the colour itself may not be something we’ll see in our daily lives just yet, the laser technique that created it could lead to breakthroughs in how we understand and treat vision-related conditions. As researchers continue to explore the boundaries of human perception, “olo” may become a stepping stone for further advancements in both science and medicine.