Eye regeneration in LTR

Katt · 03-12-04, 07:10 PM

Last year I was given a one eyed leucy tx rat from Denise Loving. She produce this animal and gave her to me. When I got her, the snake had one bug eye and one socket with sludgy crusty stuff. The crust somewhat solidified and over the course of a few sheds, something which somewhat looked like an eye appeared. Then with a subsequent shed an eye which could be called one, was apparent. I have posted photos of this eye. The eye did not move, didn't not appear to see, and the pupils did not shrink or expand. She was effectively blind in the eye.

She shed a few weeks ago, and I was looking at her eye, just to see how it was progressing, and IT MOVED.

The eye MOVED, it moved to look at me, and the pupils actually RESPONDED TO LIGHT.

I find this AMAZING! I'm almost out of my skin!!!

I got Vanan to look at the eye to confirm that the eye could move and could expand/contract. The movements were very SMALL. But there IS MOVEMENT!!

I wish I had a photo of how the eye was as a baby.

I can't believe this. I wouldn't believe it if it wasn't happening infront of my eyes!

To think a snake is actually regenerating a highly complex organ!

I will be looking at snakes in a whole new light, a whole new level of respect.

C.Marshell · 03-12-04, 07:16 PM

Are you serious! Thats Amazing!! no wonder you were blown away!

Big_V · 03-12-04, 07:28 PM

Accidental double post. Sorry !!

Big_V · 03-12-04, 07:30 PM

If that was infact what happened that is crazy. I didnt think it was possible for animals to reproduce a complex organ such as an eye. Ive been studying alot about the complexity of the eye at McMaster where i go to school and if it regrew and developed function of the eye thats incredible. Ive never heard of that happening before and i didnt even think it was possible. There are many complex tissues in the eye itself and if it grew from nothing or regenerated either way its astonishing. Im kinda blown away by this. Time for me to do some research. LOL
Cheers, Ryan

sketchy4 · 03-12-04, 07:34 PM

wow! i didnt know a snake could regenerate an organ as complex as an eye. that is amazing! glad to hear his eye is working properly!

Katt · 03-12-04, 08:01 PM

Yes, tell me about it. I really wish I had documented more than I did, but I honestly didn't expect the eye to regain movement! Both pupil and the eye itself.

I just had to share with everyone. I've never heard of this type of regeneration. The eye was blind before, but now!

I'd almost like to donate her to some university so they can document any further regeneration. But I do like my little girl. I haven't named her, Miracle sounds too cheesy. She's a year old.

I surprised me that the eye was growing back, but it was just a blue iris and black dot that wouldn't change in diametre. But for the eye to regain function?! C'mon!

Glad you guys share my amazement. I felt like calling my family, but I didn't think they'd understand. I got all goosebumpy and hot/cold feelings running through me when her eye moved to look at us.

Linds · 03-12-04, 08:20 PM

That's very cool that she was able to regain her eye function again! Snakes truly are amazing creatures...

lostwithin · 03-12-04, 08:33 PM

Wow, thats amazing I didn't know that was possible.
Devon