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Background: Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) control non-visual light responses (e.g. pupillary light reflex and circadian entrainment). Patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) show reduced ipRGC function, as inferred by abnormalities in the post illumination pupil response (PIPR). We explored whether ipRGC function in DR is associated with circadian outputs and sleep/wake behavior., Methods: Forty-five participants (15 without diabetes, 15 with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and no DR, 15 with T2D and DR) participated. ipRGC function was inferred from the PIPR (pupil size following stimulus offset). Circadian outputs were melatonin amplitude (overnight urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s)) and timing (dim light melatonin onset (DLMO)), and evening salivary cortisol levels. Sleep/wake patterns were measured with wrist actigraphy and insomnia symptoms were assessed subjectively., Results: Patients with T2D and DR had smaller PIPR and lower urinary aMT6s than other groups (p < 0.001). In adjusted regression models, smaller PIPR was associated with lower urinary aMT6s (β = 4.552, p = 0.005). Patients with DR were more likely to have no detectable DLMO (p = 0.049), higher evening salivary cortisol, greater insomnia symptoms and greater sleep variability compared to other groups. Sleep duration, efficiency and rest-activity rhythms were similar., Conclusion: Reduced ipRGC function in DR is associated with circadian dysregulation and sleep disturbances, although a causal relationship cannot be established in this cross-sectional study. Prospective mechanistic and intervention studies examining circadian and sleep health in these patients are warranted.

The accepted hypothesis for the pathophysiology of tonic pupil syndrome (Adie syndrome) was reexamined in light of recent developments concerning denervation supersensitivity of cholinergically innervated smooth muscle. Kinetic analysis suggests that enzymatic hydrolysis is unimportant relative to convective diffusion in the turnover of acetylcholine in the aqueous humor. We postulate that the greater response to near stimuli than to light stimuli and the delay in iris sphincter contraction and relaxation can be explained by release of acetylcholine from the neuromuscular junction of the ciliary muscle followed by transaqueous diffusion to receptor sites on denervated, supersensitive iris sphincter muscle.