Spatial frequency threshold and contrast sensitivity of an optomotor behavior are impaired in the Ins2 ^Akita mouse model of diabetes

Diabetic retinopathy can lead to progressive loss of vision and is a leading cause of blindness. The Ins2 ^Akita mouse model of diabetes develops significant retinal and systemic pathology, but how these affect visual behavior is unknown. Here, we show that Ins2 ^Akita mice have progressive, quantifiable vision deficits in an optomotor behavior. This mouse line is a promising model in which to understand the contribution of retinal neuronal injury during the chronic hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia of diabetes to deficits in vision.