Greenland shark eyes show remarkable resistance to aging

A scientific study has revealed that the Greenland shark, one of the longest-living vertebrates on Earth, possesses eyes that appear to resist the typical effects of aging. While these sharks can live up to 400 years in the dark depths of the Arctic, researchers previously believed they might be functionally blind due to parasites and extreme conditions.

Research published in Nature Communications, involving samples collected near the University of Copenhagen's Arctic station on Disko Island, contradicts this assumption. Researchers observed the sharks tracking light sources, and histological analysis showed no evidence of retinal cell death. Crucially, the protein rhodopsin, essential for low-light vision, remained active in the eyes.

Scientists suggest that a mechanism related to DNA repair may help the Greenland shark maintain ocular health over centuries. Understanding how these animals preserve eye tissue and function could eventually provide insights into preventing age-related vision loss and macular degeneration in humans.