Scientists have announced a discovery that indicates the apple snail can regrow its eye after an injury—something humans cannot do. This amazing ability is giving researchers new hope for treating human eye problems like blindness and macular degeneration.
The study, which was carried out by the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and led by Dr Alice Accorsi, discovered that apple snails have eyes similar to human eyes. Even more impressive, their eyes grow back fully within 28 days in four steps: healing, forming new cells, growing the lens and retina, and finally maturing into a full eye again. Aside from that, the researchers also found that a key gene called pax6, which helps eyes form in humans and fruit flies, is also important in the snail’s eye development. Scientists believe studying this snail could help them learn how to restart eye growth in humans one day. Nature may hold the answers to healing human vision.
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