The night vision is not a thing humans are capable of their own. Cats, dogs and other animals are able to see in the dark, thanks to a membrane on the eyes called tapetum lucidum. This membrane increases the light available for photoreceptors. It is also responsible for the greenish amber shimmering effect on the eyes of cats and dogs, called "Eyeshine."
Humans do not have the membrane, though, and that's why we have to rely on things like night vision technology to navigate the dark areas. However, through our constant capacity expansion in the field of science, giving people the night vision donation could actually become a reality, even if it does not give you a cool Eyeshine.
Gabriel Licina is a researcher in biochemistry with science for the masses, a research group. Here he sits with his eyes held open, Clockwork Orange style
Science For The Masses
Science for the Masses recently worked with a compound known Chlorin e6, or EC6 for short. The compound is found in deep-sea fish, who also need the ability to navigate in the dark. In humans, it is used to treat certain forms of blindness and certain cancers. Research shows that compound increases the photosensitivity in animals. So what's next? Human trials of course.
Science For The Masses
A low dose of the compound was abandoned Licina eyes. This image seems a little macabre, but that is just a giant eyedropper. The result was somewhat less enjoyable for Licina, however. The compound causes the eyes to dilate quickly. If you have had your pupils dilated to the doctor, you know it's not a great feeling. It was like that, but multiplied by a little.
Eek.
Science For The Masses
no, these are not really students and mdash Licina, it would be physically impossible ( unless you go to the cosmetic route). It is actually wearing protective contact lenses. His eyes are so light that without protection see is painful reality in the daylight.
Science For The Masses
Licina said the procedure hurts, but he was willing to put up with it for science.
(via Science For The Masses, Distractify)
After about two hours and the sun, the team entered a dark field to test the vision of Licina, who has worked better than ever. His older pupils were able to take lots of light, or at least more than the average eye. He was able to select objects and people hidden in the dark, and was able to correctly identify and count every time. People in this group control experiment had this specific problem right about one third of the time.
The effects of EC6 on the eyes of Licina are not permanent, however. The next morning his eyes were back to normal, and no persistent effects have been noticed. The EC6 compound is obviously not ready to be used for medicinal purposes, but the ability to increase the sensitivity of someone to light could improve human sight in the future. You can learn more about the experience on science to the website of the masses.
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