Light-evoked expansion of subretinal space volume in the retina of the frog.

The retina of the frog was superfused with a Ringer solution containing impermeant "probe" cations and anions. Light-evoked concentration changes in these probe ions were measured in the subretinal space (SRS) with ion-selective microelectrodes. A decrease in probe ion concentration was found, and several observations suggest that this is caused by a light-evoked expansion of the SRS. The probe ion decrease was not seen in the isolated retina; thus, the pigment epithelial (PE) cells are important for its generation. Pharmacological studies suggest that K+ channels in the PE cells are important--perhaps the PE cells shrink in response to the light-evoked decrease in SRS [K+]. The light-evoked decrease of SRS volume may be important in the understanding of SRS solute concentrations, retina-PE adhesivity, photoreceptor-PE cell interactions, and the interphotoreceptor matrix.