The light-sensitive molecule "chlorin e6" (Ce6) is an analogue of chlorophyll, which is isolated from algae and is used to treat some forms of cancer. However, the Science for the Masses team found another use for it, even more spectacular.
A few years ago, it was suggested that an injection of Ce6 into the eye could increase the retina's ability to see in the dark - and “biohackers”, as the participants in Science for the Masses call themselves, found a volunteer who agreed to test the technology on themselves.
To begin with, the subject's eyes were washed, removing dirt and micro-dust, and carefully fixed, not allowing blinking, so that the solution would not wash away with tears. Then, using a micropipette, three doses (50 μl) of a solution containing Ce6 were dropped into each eye, gently pressing on the outer corner of the eye so that the liquid was distributed over the surface.
The scary black color quickly dissipated, but the volunteer's eyes were covered with black contact lenses so that they did not receive excess light. Then they began to be tested.
According to the experimenters, an hour later the subject was able to discern the shapes of objects located 10 m from him in complete darkness, and then this effect only intensified: the distance from which he could see objects (for example, a palm) reached 50 m. “The subject identified objects with 100 percent accuracy, says Science for the Masses, while the control group only 33% of the time.
The experiments were continued in the night forest: the subject and several people in the control group had to examine and, with the help of a laser pointer, show in which direction the rest were from them, and again night vision proved to be wonderful.
For some time, the subject was forced to wear sunglasses to preserve his eyes, but by morning all the effects of the injection had "resolved." During the 20 days of observation, no side effects were observed - however, it is interesting how this will end on a large scale.