Eye of the Plant

Everyone knows the importance of eating vegetables, but a new finding suggests that consuming/applying plant derivatives may significantly improve night-time vision. In the 1990s, marine biologist Ron Douglas of City University London discovered that the dragonfish Malacosteus niger can perceive red light in the deep-sea. Further research isolated chlorophyll as the responsible chemical. The fish had managed to incorporate chlorophyll, most likely from bacteria in their food, and turn it into a vision enhancer.

Traditionally, light activates a visual pigment which sends an electrical signal to the brain. This process is accomplished by rods and cones in the eye. However, cones do not function effectively in the dark, limiting the majority of visual input to black and white. Rod cells are particularly feeble at absorbing red light; the chlorophyll derivative chlorin e6 greatly improves the receptivity of rods in the eye.

Douglas’ work was then picked up by ophthalmologist Ilyas Washington at Columbia University Medical Center. Washington hypothesized that chlorophyll might also enhance the vision of other animals, including humans. His most recent experiments on mice and rabbits have shown promise; the direct application of chlorophyll to the eyes effectively doubled the animal’s ability to see in low light. Washington’s research has potential for allowing soldiers to utilize a biological night-vision enhancement, thereby removing the necessity of cumbersome and potentially compromising equipment. The U.S. Department of Defense is funding Washington’s project in the hope that the compound will eventually be viable for soldiers on the battlefield.

This topic interests me because I used to play night games with my friends and I would frequently run into objects in the dark. I was also interested in biological upgrades for soldiers in high school.

Link: http://discovermagazine.com/2009/sep/04-forget-goggles-chlorophyll-eye-drops-give-night-vision/

Scott Blasczyk

VTPP 434-502