Scientists got mouse eyes to perform photosynthesis — and no, they didn't turn green
Researchers have developed eye drops that enable mouse eyes to perform photosynthesis, potentially offering a new treatment for dry eye disease. The drops contain photosynthetic machinery from spinach leaves, which helps reduce inflammation in the eyes. Future studies may lead to applications in human medicine.
- ▪The eye drops contain thylakoid grana extracted from spinach chloroplasts.
- ▪These drops were tested on mice with dry eye disease and showed promising results.
- ▪The study aims to explore new treatments for dry eye disease using photosynthesis.
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Health Scientists got mouse eyes to perform photosynthesis — and no, they didn't turn green Special eye drops containing photosynthetic machinery from spinach leaves have helped combat dry eye, a new mouse experiment reveals. By Skyler Ware published 30 May 2026 in News When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. A new eye drop allowed for photosynthesis to happen in a mouse's eye. (Image credit: Ralf Bessoth / 500px via Getty Images) Copy link Facebook X Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Scientists have developed new eye drops that allow mouse eyes to perform certain steps of photosynthesis.The drops,…
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