Retinal pigmentary epithelial cells

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells form a monolayer between the neural retina and the choroid. They are crucial for photoreceptor health: they phagocytose shed photoreceptor outer segments, recycle visual pigments, absorb scattered light (melanin), transport nutrients, and form the outer blood-retinal barrier. RPE dysfunction leads to age-related macular degeneration and other retinal diseases.