These apple snails regrow their eyes in 28 days, and this could help humans

Apple snails can regrow their own eyes. And researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research are studying what that means for treating human eye conditions.

Apple snail eyes and human eyes have a lot of similarities. They both have retinas, lenses and corneas. Unlike humans, though, these snails can regrow their eyes after amputation. All it takes is 28 days. And in those 28 days, researchers have identified four different stages. They analysed gene activity at the different stages of eye regeneration in apple snails.

This new research could be used to help treat humans who suffer from retinal degeneration, or other eye injuries.