Lack of IRBP allows early eye development and nearsightedness

Eye size in IRBP-deficient mice began to increase at post-natal day 7, indicating accelerated development compared to wild-type mice.

• IRBP-deficient mice exhibited significant eye elongation and growth starting one day earlier than wild-type mice.
• Retinal imaging showed thinning of the outer nuclear layer in IRBP KO mice throughout development.
• The depth of the vitreous body was the only factor contributing to increased optical axis length in IRBP KO mice.
• The number of retinal cells producing a key enzyme (TH-positive cells) was 28% higher in IRBP KO retinas at post-natal day 30.
• No significant differences were found in dopamine levels between IRBP KO and wild-type mice despite the increased number of TH-positive cells.

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