# Systematic review: Xenopus laevis as a model for ophthalmic development and disease research

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis is used as a model organism to study eye development and diseases, offering insights into its research applications and significance.

## Contribution

The paper provides a systematic review of Xenopus laevis as a model for ophthalmic research, emphasizing its utility in disease modeling and drug screening.

## Key findings

- Xenopus laevis is widely used for studying eye development and retinal diseases due to its transparent embryos and accessible developmental stages.
- The model allows precise genetic modifications and has been used to simulate human eye diseases like glaucoma and retinal degeneration.
- X. laevis contributes to understanding ocular disease mechanisms and screening potential therapeutic agents.

## Abstract

Model organisms have played a pivotal role in ophthalmic research, providing essential platforms to investigate eye development, regeneration mechanisms, and disease pathology. Recent advancements in gene editing technologies and experimental methodologies have enabled the successful simulation of various human eye diseases, including glaucoma, retinal degeneration, and corneal disorders in model systems. These models have significantly advanced the understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying ocular diseases and facilitated the screening and validation of potential therapeutic agents. Xenopus laevis (X. laevis) has emerged as an ideal system for developmental biology research due to its rapid embryonic development, transparent embryos, and ease of observation and manipulation. Its fully sequenced genome allows precise genetic modifications, including gene knockout, knock-in, and expression regulation studies. In ophthalmic research, X. laevis is widely used for studying eye development, disease modeling, and ocular structure. Its accessible embryonic stages and well-characterized eye development make it a valuable model for retinal disease investigations. This review systematically summarizes the applications, construction methods, and research significance of X. laevis models in eye development, disease modeling, and drug screening. It provides an in-depth perspective on the utility of X. laevis in foundational ophthalmic research, offering insights to guide future studies.