What is the role of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in vision?
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) serves several critical functions in vision. It absorbs excess light to prevent scattering, recycles visual pigments, and provides metabolic support to the photoreceptors. The RPE also forms the blood-retinal barrier, regulating the exchange of nutrients and waste products between the retina and the bloodstream.