Monochromatic light effects on refractive error, cone cell density and retinoic acid signaling in dorsal and ventral retina in guinea pigs

Cone cells have been found to influence refractive states. This study investigated whether cone cells and retinal acid (RA) plays a role in refractive states under monochromatic lights. Guinea pigs were exposed to blue (BL), green (GL), or white light (WL), respectively, for 8 weeks. Refractive error (RE), cone cell density, RA, retinoic acid receptor-β (RAR-β), collagen-I expression, and scleral thickness in dorsal and ventral eyes were assessed. Eyes exposed to BL showed a slower shift from hyperopia to emmetropia, particularly in the ventral retina, where higher S-cone density was linked to greater remaining hyperopia. In contrast, GL exposure led to myopic shifts, notably in the dorsal retina, where increased M-cone density was associated with greater reductions in refractive error. BL exposure resulted in similar decreases in RA and retinoic acid receptor-β (RAR-β) expression in both dorsal and ventral regions, along with elevated scleral collagen-I and thicker sclera. In contrast, GL exposure increased RA and RAR-β levels, while reducing scleral collagen-I and thickness. GL-associated changes in RAR-β expression and scleral thinning were more pronounced in the dorsal retina compared to the ventral retina, despite similar RA levels in both regions. These findings suggested that RA may not contribute to the hyperopic shifts with increased S-cone cell density in BL. However, increased RA and RAR-β may be correlated with ocular growth in guinea pigs exposed to GL, it may underlie myopic shifts with increased M-cone cell density.