Tetrachromacy

Have you ever heard of tetrachromacy? It's not a word you often hear. Tetrachromacy is, in a nutshell, the opposite of colorblindness.

As you may know, the eye contains rods and cones, which help distinguish color and contrast. Most people have three types of cones, which are often called blue, green, and red cones. As one may expect, they deal with specific light wavelengths and colors.

People with this unique condition have a fourth type of cone cell in the eye. They can see more colors than others. Often it is the yellow-green hues that they see more clearly. This isn't unique to humans: many animals have the condition. Birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and insects are all technocrats. In fact, most mammals were once technocrats.

People who have tetrachromacy can't see ultraviolet light, but they can see close to it. They may also see better in dark, dim rooms, or when watching things on screens.

If you know or suspect that you have tetrachromacy, reach out to your Bellingham, WA eye care center. Make an appointment today!