New Color ‘Olo’ Created by Hacking Human Vision

Scientists have achieved a groundbreaking feat by manipulating the human eye to perceive a color previously unseen. This new color, dubbed “olo,” expands the boundaries of human vision and opens exciting possibilities for vision research.

Unlocking New Visual Dimensions

Researchers employed an innovative technique called “Oz” to stimulate the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This stimulation allowed five participants to experience “olo,” described as an exceptionally saturated blue-green unlike any naturally occurring color.

The study, published in Science Advances, details how the team precisely targeted specific photoreceptor cells (cones) responsible for detecting red, green, and blue light. By selectively activating only the green-sensitive cones (M cones), they bypassed the usual activation patterns and introduced the brain to a novel color sensation.

James Fong, a doctoral student at UC Berkeley and co-first author of the study, explained that the ultimate goal is programmable control over every photoreceptor in the retina, primarily for research. The Oz technique represents a significant step toward that goal.

Implications for Vision Research and Beyond

This breakthrough has far-reaching implications:

• Understanding Vision: The system can replicate the effects of eye diseases, enhancing our understanding of vision loss.
• Color Blindness: It holds potential for simulating full-color vision in individuals with color blindness by compensating for defective photoreceptors.
• New Dimensions of Color: Introducing the brain to novel visual data and stimulation patterns could enable color-blind individuals to perceive new color dimensions.

How ‘Oz’ Works

The “Oz” technique involves creating a detailed map of each user’s retina using adaptive optics optical coherence tomography (AO-OCT). This process identifies the locations of the L, M, and S cones, allowing for targeted stimulation with visible-wavelength laser light (laser microdoses).

Participants viewed a display with a small square at its center, focusing slightly away to engage their peripheral vision. The system compensated for subtle eye movements, ensuring the lasers precisely targeted the intended cones.

The Future of Color Perception

While still in its early stages, the “Oz” technique faces limitations, such as the need for fixed gaze and challenges in targeting the fovea (central part of the retina). However, researchers are exploring its potential for treating color blindness, stimulating tetrachromacy (enhanced color sensitivity), and modeling eye diseases.

Although unlikely to be integrated into everyday displays anytime soon due to the specialized lasers and optics required, “olo” represents a significant leap in our understanding of human vision and the possibilities of manipulating color perception.

Source: Science Advances