Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells (RPEC)

Retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) or retinal pigment epithelium are the pigmented cell layer just outside the neurosensory retina that nourishes retinal visual cells, and is firmly attached to the underlying choroid and overlying retinal visual cells. The RPE has several functions, namely, light absorption, epithelial transport, spatial ion buffering, visual cycle, phagocytosis, secretion and immune modulation. In the eyes of albinos, the cells of this layer contain no pigment. Studies indicate that retinal pigment epithelium response to oxidant injury in the pathogenesis of early age-related macular degeneration. Dysfunction of the RPE is found in age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. RPE are also involved in diabetic retinopathy.