Nr2e3 -Deficient Mice Show Evidence for Elevated Photoreceptor Bioenergetics and Retinal Visual Cycle Activity Based on OCT Metabolic Biomarkers

The data suggest that rd7 mice have higher-than-normal photoreceptor metabolism based on widespread distribution of abnormally less elongated mitochondria, and OCT biomarker evidence of more efficient energy production. The slightly thinner ONL despite reduced ELM-RPE thickness/impaired RPE-based retinoid recycling is consistent with rd7 mice using the cone-specific visual cycle to maintain adequate retinoid levels for vision.