Encephalopsin (OPN3) is required for normal refractive development and the GO/GROW response to induced myopia.

Abstract

The data suggest that an OPN3 expression domain outside the retina can control lens shape and thus the refractive performance of the eye. Prior to this study, the role of <i>Opn3</i> in the eye had not been investigated. This work adds OPN3 to the list of opsin family GPCRs that are implicated in emmetropization and myopia. Further, the work to exclude retinal OPN3 as the contributing domain in this refractive phenotype is unique and suggests a distinct mechanism when compared to other opsins.