Elevated cytosolic ATF4 and p62 condensates in brains of mouse models of retinal degeneration (RhoP23H) and congenital blindness (Vsx2) suggest an underappreciated role of the connection between the loss of sensory input and non-autonomous proteostasis regulation and the consequences for the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Here, ATF4 is linked to neurodegenerative disease.