What is the RPE of the eye?

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a single layer of post-mitotic cells, which functions both as a selective barrier to and a vegetative regulator of the overlying photoreceptor layer, thereby playing a key role in its maintenance.

Does retinal pigment epithelium regenerate?

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is an ocular tissue critical for maintaining a functional visual system, and death of RPE cells leads to blindness. Humans and other mammals are unable to regenerate the RPE, so vision loss is irreversible.

What is macular RPE changes?

The RPE specifically is known to undergo several structural changes, including loss of melanin granules, increase in the number of residual bodies, accumulation of the age pigment lipofuscin, accumulation of basal deposits on or within Bruch’s membrane (BM), formation of drusen (between the basal lamina of the RPE and …

What causes retinal pigment epithelium?

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is formed from a single layer of regular polygonal cells arranged at the outermost layer of the retina. The outer side of the RPE is connected to Bruch’s membrane and the choroid, while the inner side is connected to the outer segment of photoreceptor cells.

What does the RPE do?

The main functions of the RPE are the following: (1) Transport of nutrients, ions, and water (2) absorption of light and protection against photooxidation, (3) reisomerization of all-trans-retinal into 11-cis-retinal, which is a key element of the visual cycle, (4) phagocytosis of shed photoreceptor membranes, and (5) …

What is congenital hypertrophy?

Congenital Hypertrophy of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (CHRPE) CHRPE is a flat, darkly pigmented spot found in the back of your eye. It can vary in size, ranging from a few to more than 10 mm in diameter. They are composed of enlarged cells with densely packed and larger-than-normal, spherical pigment granules.

Is RPE detachment serious?

Tears or rips of the RPE are a rare, but potentially vision-threatening, complication in the natural history of PEDs, which can occur spontaneously or after treatment. RPE tears have been described after treatment with intravitreal anti-VEGF agents,32,33 PDT,34,35 or laser photocoagulation.

What is PVD eye?

Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) occurs when the gel that fills the eyeball separates from the retina. The retina is a thin layer of nerve tissue that lines the back of the eyeball. It’s responsible for detecting light and turning it into visual images.

What causes pigment changes in the eye?

It develops when abnormal blood vessels grow underneath the retina and leak blood or other fluids, causing scarring and damage to the macula. AMD has three stages, partially defined by the size and number of drusen beneath the retina. People in early-stage AMD have medium-sized drusen and usually no vision loss.

In what way RPE becomes significant?

The RPE performs several critical functions that maintain the integrity of photoreceptors including absorption of stray light, removal of aged photoreceptor outer segment discs, recycling of retinoids, and the removal of waste products from the retina.

Is Chrpe hereditary?

CHRPE positive individuals present a 100% chance of having the genetic mutation [2]. Intra-familial variation of CHRPE gene expression is possible, indicating that negative fundoscopy individuals belonging to CHRPE positive families should not be excluded from the colonoscopic screening and or genetic analysis.