Annu Rev Neurosci June 1992 PMID 1575438

The evolution of eyes.

M F Land, R D Fernald

Download social card

Mentions

78
Peak: 12 in Sep 2019
across 5 sources since Jul 2014

Extended reach

324,960
potential audience

Total likes

3,593

Video views

108,308

Mentions per month

Jul 2014 – Dec 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter53 posts
  • Bluesky15 posts
  • Blogs5 articles
  • News3 articles
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone reflects strong support and fascination, as seen in posts emphasizing the fossil record and detailed evolutionary pathways, such as Professor Lars Schmitz's explanations and references to scientific literature. Some posts critique misconceptions, indicating active engagement with the scientific topics, while expressions of curiosity and references to studies underscore the discussion's impact on viewers' understanding of evolution.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the evidence and explanations provided for eye evolution, with some critiques questioning assumptions but still accepting the basic concept.

InterestHigh interest

The range of posts shows high curiosity, with many referencing detailed evolution processes, fossil records, and scientific views, indicating strong engagement.

EngagementHigh engagement

Several discussions delve into complex scientific details, referencing studies, fossil evidence, and evolutionary theory, demonstrating deep engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest the article influences thinking about evolution, highlighting its well-supported nature and the significance of eye evolution in understanding biological history.

Abstract in brief

  • The evolution of eyes is a complex process that has occurred multiple times in different species, showcasing how important vision is for survival.
  • Early organisms likely had simple eye spots that could detect light but not form images, which gradually developed into more complex structures capable of detailed vision.
  • This evolutionary journey illustrates the adaptation of living beings to their environments, improving their ability to find food, avoid predators, and navigate their surroundings.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Mark Witton
@markwitton.bsky.social · Bluesky

Writing about the evolution of eyes, a story that takes us back to the Cambrian. I don't draw Cambrian life very much (though stay tuned...), but I reconstructed the Burgess Shale fauna for my book Life Through the Ages II back in 2017. (There's too much light in this scene, btw). #paleoart

Nov 28, 2024 · 302 likes · 69 shares View post →
sneaky
@snekoden · X

love the evolution of eyes from 2022 to 2025 https://t.co/9UEuXNWvsR

Jun 26, 2025 · 71 likes · 10 shares · 4,094 followers View post →
loren schmidt
@lorenschmidt.bsky.social · Bluesky

i've been studying the evolution of eyes and it's really wonderful and strange. it's absolutely a rabbit hole straight into the arcane heart of embodied existence. i'm currently very into things with odd numbers of eyes. Cambropachycopidae. reptiles with pineal eyes en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambrop...

Aug 29, 2025 · 55 likes · 8 shares View post →
Your Only Sunshine
@_amazonian_pet · X

I release my cold grasp from your throat to continue my ramblings about the philosophical implications of the evolution of eyes https://t.co/pbYyn61LjU https://t.co/79bgUktMFJ

Nov 6, 2025 · 36 likes · 1,162 followers View post →
Finding Dee Fish
@findingdeefish.bsky.social · Bluesky

A Rerun in 3 parts: Last year, I reposed this art of the evolution of eyes in anime & manga. It got me thinking about how much bigger MY eyes have gotten in Finding Dee since 2017. A doodle and then an entire strip came out of that seed of an idea & I regret nothing. lol

Jul 11, 2024 · 24 likes · 5 shares View post →
SciShow
@SciShow · X

It's the 50th episode of SciShow Quiz Show! This time, Hank faces off against SciShow script editor and D&D enthusiast Alexa Billow

Sep 19, 2019 · 17 likes · 5 shares · 115,768 followers View post →

All mentions

The Evolution of Eyes and Their Role in Survival

The evolution of eyes is a complex process that has occurred multiple times in different species, showcasing how important vision is for survival. Early organisms likely had simple eye spots that could detect light…

SciShow · Sep 18, 2019 108,023 views
Greg Camp
@GregCampNC · X

@Echo_nomics @willycooper @darwintojesus We're not brothers, and I want nothing to do with artificial stupidity. The evolution of eyes is abundantly demonstrated, and the probability claims of apologists are based on faulty assumptions.

Dec 5, 2025 · 2,734 followers View post →
Oi
@Just_an_oi · X

@SDAFS56788141 @cmsj @JoshuaHults @gcccmharding @PhilosophyOfPhy 3. https://t.co/NJbRZVwxEV

Nov 25, 2025 · 476 followers View post →
Columbia University Press
@columbiaup.bsky.social · Bluesky

"Sodickson—a medical-imaging pioneer and former Harvard Medical School faculty member—takes us back, way back, to the evolution of eyes and the history of medicine."—Gabriella Gage, Harvard Magazine

Nov 17, 2025 View post →
Endless Extropy
@ExtropianEric · X

@dreamsNscience The evolutionary sequence of the butterfly makes the evolution of eyes seem quaint. It's a wild one to wrap the brain around

Nov 15, 2025 · 1 like · 1,758 followers View post →
Columbia University Press
@ColumbiaUP · X

"Sodickson—a medical-imaging pioneer and former Harvard Medical School faculty member—takes us back, way back, to the evolution of eyes and the history of medicine."—Gabriella Gage, Harvard Magazine https://t.co/AfYopXcsEG @HarvardMagazine https://t.co/eoXBFYGCQT

Nov 14, 2025 · 1 like · 46,973 followers View post →
Roger Scott
@hapree464862 · X

@NotEvolution1 Wow, you don’t often post something truthful. But as usual, with you at least, there’s a highly misleading element. Here is the rest of what Darwin said. He used the first paragraph as a literary device to introduce his topic, which is the evolution of eyes. https://t.co/sfcZONtKOO

Nov 7, 2025 · 6 likes · 388 followers View post →
Your Only Sunshine
@_amazonian_pet · X

I release my cold grasp from your throat to continue my ramblings about the philosophical implications of the evolution of eyes https://t.co/pbYyn61LjU https://t.co/79bgUktMFJ

Nov 6, 2025 · 36 likes · 1,162 followers View post →
Entergently
@Entergently · X

@PGK2299 @SteveDeaceShow Yep! I’ve been listening since 2020 (but questioning since 1995

Oct 25, 2025 · 1 like · 14 followers View post →
Ben Reck
@ben_reck12 · X

RT @scottimatic: @DrJackKruse Oh FFS, human reality is fluid. What a GD idiot. Tell me Mr Knowitall WTF is bilirubin? Not that you can coun…

Oct 20, 2025 · 1 share · 59 followers View post →
Scottimatic
@scottimatic · X

@DrJackKruse Oh FFS, human reality is fluid. What a GD idiot. Tell me Mr Knowitall WTF is bilirubin? Not that you can count it but what it actually does. Now how about the evolution of eyes? You are fcking retarded to think you have the answers when your body can no longer do human things.

Oct 20, 2025 · 6 likes · 1 share · 364 followers View post →
Fred Nerk
@nerk_fred14889 · X

@DivinelyDesined there is clear and present evidence of the evolution of eyes. From basic light sensing cells to full colour vision. BTW the human eye is not the pinnacle of eye development

Oct 9, 2025 · 91 followers View post →
⋆⭒˚.⋆
@elonsfuturegf · X

@QuanticASI This is tied in with the evolution of eyes. Look into when organisms started to develop eyes. Because that is when the light waves started to be perceived.

Oct 7, 2025 · 1 like · 1,004 followers View post →
Ajin Cherian
@itsajin · X

@JackieLawlor @trad_west_ when you study evolution, you realise that you don't need a creator to explain the evolution of eyes, because there exists eyes at different stages in the animal kingdom today https://t.co/QX7IeCcjwh

Sep 30, 2025 · 279 followers View post →
Lucifer Morningstar
@MMorningstarTTV · X

@felicia_cos @bloob3rry_ the evolution of eyes in gaming lmao, i really gotta actually play stellar blade

Sep 7, 2025 · 1 like · 138 followers View post →
loren schmidt
@lorenschmidt.bsky.social · Bluesky

i've been studying the evolution of eyes and it's really wonderful and strange. it's absolutely a rabbit hole straight into the arcane heart of embodied existence. i'm currently very into things with odd numbers of eyes. Cambropachycopidae. reptiles with pineal eyes en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambrop...

Aug 29, 2025 · 55 likes · 8 shares View post →
Jason Steel
@Wraithe42 · X

@Byss2_ @ThatAntiTheist1 @Ephraim_12K @AgainstAtheismX That's not evidence, though? Take eyes. We can see the evolution of eyes, as cells that are light sensitive, as clusters that are more light sensitive, etc. We can see fossils of hands evolving. Slowly over millions of years. Not just coming from nothing.

Aug 29, 2025 · 234 followers View post →
Breakfast Fren
@BreakfastQGame · X

@Bay17d__ All my homies love extranormal perception. IMO, "psychic" sensitivity predates the evolution of eyes.

Aug 28, 2025 · 216 followers View post →
Greg Camp
@GregCampNC · X

@NotEvolution1 The evolution of eyes is abundantly established, and if you were honest, you'd acknowledge that. But honesty isn't your thing.

Aug 17, 2025 · 1 like · 2,734 followers View post →
Eclectic Heretic
@HarryNockz · X

@DivinelyDesined Similar to previous study that the evolution of eyes has common ancestor, but more details. https://t.co/M2RaXHqwVt

Aug 14, 2025 · 812 followers View post →
Joel Cleaneye
@JoelCleaneye · X

@Truth_matters20 Dude thinks the evolution of being on land happened after the evolution of eyes

Aug 10, 2025 · 1 like · 19 followers View post →
IA-Mike
@mairsil.bsky.social · Bluesky

Not only do I not want to know what I'm looking at, this makes me regret the evolution of EYES.

Aug 3, 2025 View post →
Jack
@Jixijenga · X

@RossCol89474735 A swarm of hornets enraged by your mere proximity would disagree with you. Property, territory, ownership itself are such ancient imperatives that the evolution of eyes capable of reading these words is younger than the instinct to drive off challengers and predators alike.

Jul 20, 2025 · 3 likes · 359 followers View post →
Bram White
@BramWhite1 · X

@HijabiDUG @RichardDawkins Watched the video. It doesn’t disprove evolution behave!David Attenborough did a very interesting documentary on the evolution of eyes as we know them, about 8yrs ago.Thing you need to remember is that eyes aren’t universal to humans,they’ve evolved through many different species

Jul 13, 2025 · 4 followers View post →
QuestionEverything
@QuestionErythng · X

@MeMaraCass @IMACedarWaxwing @CreationMuseum Wrong again. Your ignorance is not contrary proof. https://t.co/mHtTNnMSCC The evolution of eyes: major steps. The Keeler lecture 2017: centenary of Keeler Ltd | Eye https://t.co/MkkZvyywyc Eye evolution and its functional basis - PMC https://t.co/RUOqurpwlH

Jul 12, 2025 · 270 followers View post →
GalaxyXD
@f0rbidden_M00n · X

RT @snekoden: love the evolution of eyes from 2022 to 2025 https://t.co/9UEuXNWvsR

Jun 26, 2025 · 10 shares · 20 followers View post →
sollux !
@mansmoocher_69 · X

RT @snekoden: love the evolution of eyes from 2022 to 2025 https://t.co/9UEuXNWvsR

Jun 26, 2025 · 10 shares · 95 followers View post →
Zain — zhong.xiao luvbot
@ZxTruther · X

RT @snekoden: love the evolution of eyes from 2022 to 2025 https://t.co/9UEuXNWvsR

Jun 26, 2025 · 10 shares · 59 followers View post →
SATELLITE
@satelhive · X

RT @snekoden: love the evolution of eyes from 2022 to 2025 https://t.co/9UEuXNWvsR

Jun 26, 2025 · 10 shares · 46 followers View post →
vana WOAH ☀️
@donteatink_ · X

RT @snekoden: love the evolution of eyes from 2022 to 2025 https://t.co/9UEuXNWvsR

Jun 26, 2025 · 10 shares · 777 followers View post →
Stinky Scettrigh
@AndiDoodleStash · X

RT @snekoden: love the evolution of eyes from 2022 to 2025 https://t.co/9UEuXNWvsR

Jun 26, 2025 · 10 shares · 2,307 followers View post →
LaCinnamona
@LaCinnamona · X

RT @snekoden: love the evolution of eyes from 2022 to 2025 https://t.co/9UEuXNWvsR

Jun 26, 2025 · 10 shares · 963 followers View post →
Leon (⁠´⁠-⁠﹏⁠-⁠`⁠;⁠)
@stronglionleon · X

RT @snekoden: love the evolution of eyes from 2022 to 2025 https://t.co/9UEuXNWvsR

Jun 26, 2025 · 10 shares · 753 followers View post →
snekoden
@snekoden.bsky.social · Bluesky

love the evolution of eyes from 2022 to 2025

Jun 26, 2025 · 9 likes · 1 share View post →
sneaky
@snekoden · X

love the evolution of eyes from 2022 to 2025 https://t.co/9UEuXNWvsR

Jun 26, 2025 · 71 likes · 10 shares · 4,094 followers View post →
otterlier
@plsnoratiodemi · X

@highbrow_nobrow The whole eye thing is such a ridiculous example I don’t know why they chose the eye of all things, the evolution of eyes is so straightforward that it’s happened multiple times independently

May 25, 2025 · 28 followers View post →
jon-sociologist.bsky.social
@jon-sociologist.bsky.social · Bluesky

The fossil record shows the evolution of eyes. From simple light sensitive cells, through slightly indented light sensitive patches and pinhole eyes, right up to our complex camera eyes. The Theory of Evolution explains the observed fact of evolution. It doesn’t just speculate that it happened. 2/2

May 25, 2025 · 4 likes · 1 share View post →
John Smith⚛ (Explorer of Reality)
@doofgeek4011 · X

RT @LatFilosof: I should be studying, I have my course exam in physics tomorrow. I should not be responding to grifters like Eric Hovind. B…

May 21, 2025 · 2 shares · 4,360 followers View post →
darkprof
@darkprofu · X

RT @LatFilosof: I should be studying, I have my course exam in physics tomorrow. I should not be responding to grifters like Eric Hovind. B…

May 21, 2025 · 2 shares · 2,319 followers View post →
Richard of the secular realm
@LatFilosof · X

I should be studying, I have my course exam in physics tomorrow. I should not be responding to grifters like Eric Hovind. But fuck it, here we go. A comprehensive explanation of how the theory of evolution and studies support the evolution of eyes: https://t.co/2CRCX9cRxB

May 21, 2025 · 16 likes · 2 shares · 969 followers View post →
Fred Frumple
@Masterzips · X

@ApoloJedi_ @DivinelyDesined The topic is the evolution of eyes and an excellent chapter describing exactly how eyes evolve can be found here. https://t.co/9zcOYfr7kR

May 11, 2025 · 104 followers View post →
Fred Frumple
@Masterzips · X

@DivinelyDesined You don’t understanding cumulative change and the significance this has in creating complexity that is not improbable. Please read this so that least you don’t raise straw man arguments even if you don’t accept it. It devotes an entire chapter to explaining the evolution of eyes. https://t.co/SNrFCwjAEB

May 11, 2025 · 104 followers View post →
this_is_easy
@this_is_easy · X

@M40656Angelique @Deep_biblestudy @IndianaBrunner The evolution of sight didn't start with humans. It started when animals were much simpler, with a photosensitive cell. The evolution of eyes is pretty well studied. "Why, exactly, did mammals crawl back into the ocean and decide to live there?" There was food in there.

May 9, 2025 · 93 followers View post →
The Claremont Colleges - The 5C's
@Claremont5Cs · X

RT @CMCnews: Professor Lars Schmitz, Kravis Associate Professor of Integrated Sciences and Biology expert, shares his passion and

Apr 19, 2025 · 1 share · 584 followers View post →
Daily Rotation
@dailyrotation.bsky.social · Bluesky

Professor Lars Schmitz joins WIRED to guide us through a giant tree of life mapping the evolution of eyes in the animal kingdom: how they work, why they've taken the form they have, and the evolutionary advantages they've unlocked across species. www.wired.com/video/watch/...

Apr 15, 2025 View post →
Claremont McKenna College
@CMCnews · X

Professor Lars Schmitz, Kravis Associate Professor of Integrated Sciences and Biology expert, shares his passion and

Apr 14, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share · 8,102 followers View post →
boingbot
@boingbot.bsky.social · Bluesky

Professor Lars Schmitz explains the evolution of eyes in the animal kingdom https://boingboing.net/2025/04/11/professor-lars-schmitz-explains-the-evolution-of-eyes-in-the-animal-kingdom.html #animal #eyes #Nature #boingboing

Apr 11, 2025 View post →
ApoloJedi
@ApoloJedi_ · X

@Knights_OfNi The “evidence” for the evolution of eyes is simply assumed https://t.co/qD7HtT0awe

Apr 10, 2025 · 2 likes · 2,446 followers View post →
Aureli
@RegalPlum · X

I used to argue with Lisa on the evolution of eyes. She called me stupid because it read esoteric people like bronze age pervert

Apr 3, 2025 · 2 followers View post →
feral cats hollerin are
@caterwaulerin.bsky.social · Bluesky

I suspect it may have something to do with how we perceive light for our brains to conclude which action to use. Not educated in #science, just going blind, read a bit about the evolution of eyes. There's a lot of different kinds :)

Jan 26, 2025 · 2 likes View post →
Marc Srour
@trilobutt.bsky.social · Bluesky

Kittelmann & McGregor's Looking across the gap: Understanding the evolution of eyes and vision among insects (BioEssays) doi.org/10.1002/bies... This review synthesizes recent advances in understanding insect compound eye evolution.

Dec 16, 2024 · 1 share View post →
Mark Witton
@markwitton.bsky.social · Bluesky

Writing about the evolution of eyes, a story that takes us back to the Cambrian. I don't draw Cambrian life very much (though stay tuned...), but I reconstructed the Burgess Shale fauna for my book Life Through the Ages II back in 2017. (There's too much light in this scene, btw). #paleoart

Nov 28, 2024 · 302 likes · 69 shares View post →
Eric Russ
@eruss.bsky.social · Bluesky

This is helpful

Nov 10, 2024 View post →
Finding Dee Fish
@findingdeefish.bsky.social · Bluesky

A Rerun in 3 parts: Last year, I reposed this art of the evolution of eyes in anime & manga. It got me thinking about how much bigger MY eyes have gotten in Finding Dee since 2017. A doodle and then an entire strip came out of that seed of an idea & I regret nothing. lol

Jul 11, 2024 · 24 likes · 5 shares View post →
Pete of Australia
@peteofoz.bsky.social · Bluesky

If I may briefly channel my pickiest & most argumentative kid: teeeechnically, parallel lines can go on as long as they want without meeting.

Oct 3, 2023 · 1 like · 2 shares View post →
Lawliet
@REPLawliet · X

@ElRepubliqueto @RoxanaKreimer No sé si responda tu duda, pero aquí: https://t.co/SIS00GMryk puedes ver investigaciones sobre la evolución de los receptores ópticos. (Trabajos hay, es cuestión de buscarlos)

Jan 27, 2023 · 1 like · 370 followers View post →
Dave Rauschenfels
@DaveRauschenfel · X

RT @SciShow: It's the 50th episode of SciShow Quiz Show! This time, Hank faces off against SciShow script editor and D&D enthusiast Alexa B…

Sep 20, 2019 · 5 shares · 961 followers View post →
ucmtgktp
@ucmtgktp · X

Watch “From Wombat Butts to Quantum Mechanics | SciShow Quiz Show” on YouTube https://t.co/XfaWNYFSRd https://t.co/uV8eMlWtqE

Sep 19, 2019 · 7 followers View post →
William Wallace
@bill14051 · X

RT @SciShow: It's the 50th episode of SciShow Quiz Show! This time, Hank faces off against SciShow script editor and D&D enthusiast Alexa B…

Sep 19, 2019 · 5 shares · 275 followers View post →
JenSwanBooks
@JenSwanBooks · X

RT @SciShow: It's the 50th episode of SciShow Quiz Show! This time, Hank faces off against SciShow script editor and D&D enthusiast Alexa B…

Sep 19, 2019 · 5 shares · 5,583 followers View post →
Asta Muratti
@AstaMuratti · X

RT @SciShow: It's the 50th episode of SciShow Quiz Show! This time, Hank faces off against SciShow script editor and D&D enthusiast Alexa B…

Sep 19, 2019 · 5 shares · 1,231 followers View post →
SciShow
@SciShow · X

It's the 50th episode of SciShow Quiz Show! This time, Hank faces off against SciShow script editor and D&D enthusiast Alexa Billow

Sep 19, 2019 · 17 likes · 5 shares · 115,768 followers View post →
David Jameson
@link5261 · X

From Wombat Butts to Quantum Mechanics | SciShow Quiz Show https://t.co/OoHzloSdxn via @YouTube

Sep 19, 2019 · 238 followers View post →
e-csce
@e_csce · X

From Wombat Butts to Quantum Mechanics | SciShow Quiz Show @ https://t.co/wO4hl2Uw8b https://t.co/ZD0pZrF2ci

Sep 18, 2019 · 118 followers View post →
Ordo Fraterna Fibonacci
@OrdoFibonacci · X

From Wombat Butts to Quantum Mechanics | SciShow Quiz Show https://t.co/RXpMX1YWQZ via @YouTube

Sep 18, 2019 · 2,560 followers View post →
Kitty
@kittybravofan · X

From Wombat Butts to Quantum Mechanics | SciShow Quiz Show https://t.co/bj7d887NUt via @YouTube

Sep 18, 2019 · 722 followers View post →
Johannes Lüke
@JohannesSLueke · X

New video by SciShow: From Wombat Butts to Quantum Mechanics | SciShow Quiz Show https://t.co/yGYKPuIurm

Sep 18, 2019 · 83 followers View post →
cektweets.bsky.social
@cektweets.bsky.social · Bluesky

Very nice article on the evolution of eyes: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2016/02/evolution-of-eyes-text

Jan 15, 2016 View post →
International Society for Neuroethology
@neuroethology.org · Bluesky

Ivan Schwab on the evolution of eyes and why woodpeckers don't get headaches. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OAo6OVYM_1A

Jul 17, 2014 View post →