Profound Effect of Light on Cysts in X-Linked Retinoschisis

X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS), caused by RS1 pathogenic variants, leads to macular dystrophy. Patients with XLRS show diurnal changes in optical coherence tomography (OCT), with more schisis in the morning. We studied diurnal variation in Rs1-knockout (KO) mice retinal structure and electrical function.

Rs1-KO mice 2.5 to 4 months old (MO) had electroretinogram (ERG), OCT, and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements collected at 5 AM and 5 PM on different days and under different experimental conditions. Mice were maintained under standard 12-hour light/dark cycle, reversed 12-hour light/dark cycle, continuous light, or continuous darkness. At study endpoint, eyes were collected and fixed for immunohistochemistry or harvested for Western blot analysis.

Extended light exposure resolved cysts completely and improved ERG b-wave amplitudes, whereas darkness worsened schisis and ERG function. Synaptic staining confirmed disrupted photoreceptor-bipolar connections in dark-exposed retinas and reorganization after light exposure, without changes in synaptic protein expression or rhodopsin localization. IOP still followed a diurnal pattern under constant light or dark, whereas cyst fluctuation correlated with lighting rather than time of day.

Initial findings suggested a diurnal rhythm in cyst size but reversed light cycle experiments showed that light exposure-not time of day-drives retinal changes in Rs1-KO mice. RS1-deficient retinas are vulnerable to darkness, whereas light exposure preserves retinal structure and function. To ensure valid OCT and ERG comparisons in XLRS, measurements should be time- and lighting-stamped. Dark-adapted conditions may best reveal treatment effects. Controlled light exposure may be a therapeutic option for patients with XLRS.