Optical Coherence Tomography Investigation on Morphological Phenotypes of Pannexin 1 in Zebrafish Eye

This study investigates the relationship between Pannexin 1 and refractive errors using a custom-made 1310nm OCT system, capable of imaging the whole eye. Prior research reported vision-related issues in Panx1 mutants but lacked insights into underlying mechanisms. Obtained OCT results establish a direct link between Pannexin1 (Pannexin 1a, Pannexin 1b, and Panx1DKO) and eye structure alterations, primarily manifesting as axial length elongation and negative RRE values, indicating myopia. Additionally, whole eye OCT imaging identifies several category of defects in the lens epithelium and aphakia. This research underscores Pannexin1's significance in visual system development and refractive errors, further emphasizing the diagnostic potential of optical coherence tomography in ophthalmology. Leveraging zebrafish as a model organism offers a unique opportunity to investigate genetic and cellular mechanisms influencing eye health, advancing our understanding of genetic factors and paving the way for further research and potential therapeutic interventions in the field of ophthalmology.