Re: Nerve cells in blind mice retain their visual function

On Fri, 29 Nov 2024 12:16:54 -0600, Crash Gordon <uucp@crashelex.com>
wrote:

On 11/29/2024 3:04 AM, Liz Tuddenham wrote:

I recently heard that the presence of a third type of photoreceptor cell
has been detected in the human eye.  As well as rods and cones, there is
a more primitive light-sensitive mechanism for setting the body clock.

>
I was recently in the room with a relative who was being tested with an
unusual method.  They were asked to look at a target, close their eyes,
and then touch the target.  They missed by several inches.  Then the Dr.
would put a colored filter in front of their eyes *after* the eyes were
closed -- and certain colors would improve their ability to find the
target.  I would not have believed it if I had not watched it personally.
>
There's a video of the technique here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA_tjGCFzgg
using a ringing bell instead of a visual target.  The video doesn't
point out that the test is done with eyes closed, but it is.
>
It takes several weeks to adjust to wearing the special glasses that are
prescribed; at first my relative could only wear them for two or three
minutes lying down in a dark room with eyes closed, before feeling
dizzy.  After a month or so they had built up to the point of being able
to wear them all day.  And the glasses* were a big help in treating
their symptoms.
>
I asked the Dr. how colored lenses could have any effect on closed eyes,
and they said that there are pathways from eye to brain that are very
sensitive to light but do not connect to the visual cortex.  It's pretty
amazing to see it in action.
>
=====
*BTW the colored filters are used only for diagnostic purposes.  The
glasses themselves are not colored.

I can sense hot objects in a room by skin feel, thermal IR receptors
of some sort. Directionality is poor.