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¹Kocatepe Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Göz Hastalıkları A.D., Afyon, Prof. Dr.
²Kocatepe Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fizyoloji A.D., Afyon, Doç. Dr. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is an specialized epithelium cells lying in the interface between photoreceptors and choriocapillaris. Understanding of many functions of RPE is important to explain, realize and manage many retinal disorders which is pathopyhisiologically related to pigment epithelium. Although RPE is responsible from the outer blood-retinal barrier (BRB), it has many other functions. The main functions of the RPE are the following:
1. Transport of water, ions and nutrients,
2. Absorption of light and protection against photooxidation, vitamin a metabolism which is necessary for the visual cycle,
3. Phagocytosis of shed photoreceptor outer segments,
4. Secretion of a variety of cytokines and growth factors for the structural integrity of the retina,
5. Maintenance of retinal apposition, and
6. Regulation of local immune responses.
An overview of these function is aimed in this review article. Keywords : Retinal pigment epithelium, retina, physiology