Expert: Walter Hintz - 11/7/2011

Question
Hello, Mr. Hintz.

I'm writing a story involving a character who can only see in the infrared area of the electromagnetic spectrum (no visible light, no UV) and I was just wondering what mutations would be involved in producing a person with this condition. This is purely theoretical, of course. I understand that it's not actually possible.
I know snakes and vampire bats have pits organs that let them "see" IR, but what would be involved in making the eye, itself, receptive to IR, without the assistance of pit organs? What aspects of the eye would need to be altered?
Also, what compensation would be needed to overcome the challenge of existing as a warm-blooded organism with heat-based vision?

Many thanks in advance for any enlightenment/advice.

Rebecca Hassinger

Answer
Hi Rebecca
 The human eye has sensory receptors in the retina attuned to wave lengths within a limited range. The ability to see distinguish wave lengths larger then those in the red area is limited. Their would have to be a change in the receptors in the retina.  AS you may be aware we have developed glass lenses that can enable us to see infa red wave lengths