The third retinal cell type expressing nonvisual pigments was noted first by Dr. Kashani in 1981 not in 2002 and published in 1993 as “The triplex hypothesis of vision” and then as The Triplex theory of vision. A paper appeared in PLOS 2013:
Mouse Ganglion-Cell Photoreceptors Are Driven by the Most Sensitive Rod Pathway and by Both Types of Cones
Shijun Weng, Maureen E. Estevez, David M. Berson
Published: June 07, 2013
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066480


May I ask the authors how they could miss a paper “The triplex hypothesis of vision” which explains the non visual retinal ganglion cells in 1993 with the same quality and function as the ipRGC but, only reported at least a decade earlier than the author’s paper on 2013. But I appreciate authors to prove my points.
I personally sent my paper of 1993 to Dr. Berson and he even responded to my letter. It is nice for a great scientist to at least acknowledge the data in literature not necessarily to accept it.
Although something happened that my full paper is not available in Pub Med but, I have still some extra copies available for everyone interested.

I would like to thanks PLOS that freely have published the opinion of others for scientific clarity corrections and discussion, since some refused to do that.

The authors refer to 2002 in reference section as a recent findings (ipRGC) and missed/overlooked the important paper which was published on a very same topic a decade earlier in1993.

The “Nonvisual retinal ganglion cells” name changed to ipRGC to avoid my name and contribution. while the triplex hypothesis of vision was distributed as a manuscript then as reprint after was published in 1993, and I have acknowledged everyone who did respond.

Again I have described that Nonvisual Retinal Ganglion Cells (NVRGCs) are, primitive, and start to appear early in the embryonic period. They are rhabdomeric and have different origin and genetic make up 1981. Their behavior and path are also different and probably they are in charge of vascular patterning too. I described that NVRGCs are in charge of nonvisual functions including pupillary light reaction and entrainment of the circadian rhythm the same as ipRGC.
On the basis of this unique and only study on the human embryo despite limited facilities and tracers, I observed the novel NVRGCs in the inner layer of the embryonic eye which was not reported before.
This observation prompted me to coin the term nonvisual retinal photoreceptors to these primitive ganglion cells. I described them as a novel third class of mammalian retinal photoreceptors in the inner retina (1993, 2002, 2005, 2009 and 2013 ) while primary visual cortex and lateral geniculate body were in formation process. I also correctly reported that there are three classes of photoreceptors in the retina. Then in 1993: 125-32;25 I reported that they will be connected to nonvisual photoreceptors with nonvisual pigments/ipRGC. I called them in the “Triplex hypothesis of vision” nonvisual system/network but, on that time every one was against my concept except a few scientists.
Those in opposition later learn to publish “intelligently” the same thing and same cells but, under different term “ipRGC” without any attention to my work and report that they were aware of . This is not a scientific way.

Again in 2013 I published it with some difficulties :IRJBCS VOL. (1) 1-5 as the Triplex theory of vision.
I estimated these cells comprising ~10% of the total retinal ganglion cells in the human embryo. While I reported these cells two decades ago in 1993 still some claims incorrectly that they discovered them about a decade ago without referring to my original work. These invalid claims are in several Journals and Wikipedia.
I do not know how some can bypass the fact reported in literature and make such a false
statements by changing the terminology and influencing others that may be ignorant about the fact.
I surprised that the authors easily overlooked the earlier related study to claim credit.
Several of my comments published still remained unanswered in this regards.
Thank you for yours and everyone’s attention, correction and response. Again the NVRGCS/ipRGCs were first recognized on 1981 and published in 1993 by Kashani. To respect the science I hope no one make a mistake again. I invite every one for cooperation.
A.A. Kashani, M.D. aakashani@yahoo.com