This effect is the opposite of that seen following intravitreal injections of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β, which preserves visual acuity and ONL thickness in RCS dystrophic rats.35 As the dexamethasone dose used in the present study is likely to exert anti-inflammatory effects, our new findings are consistent with an important role for the inflammatory response in preserving vision during retinal degeneration. The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is retinal degeneration.