There’s a rare condition that allows people to see a vast range of colors that most can’t perceive, though it’s extremely uncommon, making the chances of having it quite slim. If you could choose any superpower, would you go for invisibility, telekinesis, or shape-shifting? How about enhanced vision?
For many, vision is essential, and even minor problems can disrupt daily life—like the father at a gender reveal party who couldn’t see the colors due to color blindness. While some conditions, such as color blindness, make distinguishing between colors difficult, this particular condition allows for an expanded color spectrum unknown to most.
This condition, called tetrachromacy, enables individuals to see a broader range of colors than the average person. According to AllAboutVision.com, the typical person can see about one million colors, but someone with tetrachromacy might see up to 100 million different shades.
What causes this extraordinary ability? It’s a genetic mutation that can be passed down. While most people have three cones in their eyes to detect color, those who are color blind may have only two, and people with tetrachromacy likely have four. It’s estimated that around 12 percent of women may have this condition.
Scientists are still exploring tetrachromacy, as it remains a developing area of study. In an interview with the BBC, Concetta Antico, who has the condition, recalled how she didn’t realize others couldn’t see the variety of colors she did during an art lesson in the park.
In 2014, she shared, “I’d say, ‘Look at the light on the water—can you see the pink shimmering across that rock? Can you see the red on the edge of that leaf?’” Though her students nodded, Antico later realized they were only being polite, not actually seeing the colors she could identify so easily.
Describing her unique view of the world, she noted that a simple pebble path appeared multicolored to her, while others might only see grey or brown. “The little stones jump out at me with oranges, yellows, greens, blues, and pinks,” she said. “I’m often shocked when I realize what others aren’t seeing.”
However, not everything is a colorful wonderland. For Antico, environments like grocery stores are overwhelming, which she described as “a trash pile of color coming from every angle.” Quite a vivid depiction, indeed.