Can Humans Regrow Eyes? Apple Snails Hold the Clue
Can humans regrow eyes? A groundbreaking study from UC Davis and the Stowers Institute reveals that a freshwater snail species may help answer this question. The golden apple snail, known for its invasive spread and regenerative powers, has shown the ability to completely regenerate complex eyes, offering a potential roadmap for human vision restoration.
Apple Snails Have Eyes Like Ours
Although the human eye is incredibly intricate and traditionally considered irreparable, it shares anatomical and genetic traits with the golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata). These snails possess camera-type eyes complete with a cornea, lens and retina, just like humans. What makes them unique is their ability to fully regenerate these structures, even rebuilding the optic nerve within weeks.
How Do Apple Snails Regrow Their Eyes?
The regeneration process begins within 24 hours of eye removal. First, the wound heals, then undifferentiated cells migrate to the site, where they begin forming new eye tissue. By day 15, all major components—including the retina and optic nerve are present. Though the eye appears complete within a month, gene expression studies show that full maturation continues beyond that period.
In total, over 9,000 genes change their expression immediately post-injury, with 1,175 genes still active in unique ways 28 days later. This ongoing gene activity suggests the eye is still developing even after regrowth appears visually complete.
Gene Editing Reveals Eye Regeneration Secrets
To uncover how these genes guide regeneration, researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to disable a crucial developmental gene called pax6. This gene is essential for eye and brain formation in humans, flies, and mice and snails are no exception. When both copies of pax6 were turned off in snail embryos, the animals failed to develop eyes altogether.
The next step? Testing whether pax6 is also required for adult eye regeneration. If so, activating or modifying similar genes in humans could potentially open the door to regenerative eye therapies.
Why This Matters for Human Vision
Can humans regrow eyes? If researchers can identify shared regeneration genes between snails and vertebrates, it’s theoretically possible to stimulate similar healing responses in people. Genes like pax6 and others responsible for forming the lens, retina, or cornea could be activated through gene therapy or pharmaceuticals.
The team behind this research believes apple snails offer an ideal model system for regenerative biology—fast-reproducing, genetically accessible, and now, a beacon of hope for restoring human vision.
Final Thoughts
While science hasn’t yet enabled us to regrow human eyes, this snail study marks a crucial step forward. By learning from nature’s most surprising regenerative creatures, researchers are uncovering the genetic blueprints that may one day allow us to heal what was once considered permanently lost.Can humans regrow eyes? With the help of the golden apple snail, that future might be closer than we think.
