RPE Flashcards
RPE is the outermost layer of the __________________, between the _____________ and ________________
Outermost layer of the retina barrier between the choroid and the retina
Does the eye have to be dilated to see RPE?
To assess it, yes
The RPE is the what layer of the retina?
-outermost layer of the retina. Anywhere you see retina, you will see RPE
Is there RPE at the optic nerve?
- nope. No retina, no RPE.
- only thing at optic nerve is nerve fibers
What must light pass through to reach the RPE?
All the layers of the retina
What does vitreed mean? Sclerad?
Vitreed: towards the vitreous
Sclerad: towards the sclera
What layers are considered part of the photoreceptor?
- layers of rods and cones
- outer nuclear layer
- outer plexiglas layer
What is the first neuron? Second?
- first is photoreceptors
- second is inner nuclear layer
What does the pigment do?
Absorbs spare light
-cuts down on glare
The RPE transitions into what? The retina transitions into what?
RPE>pigmented ciliary epithelium
Retina>non-pigmented ciliary epithelium
How many layers is the RPE?
Monolayer
What is the shape of RPE cells?
-hexagonal at face, but cuboidal at cross section
How many cells are in the RPE? Do they proliferate?
4-6 million, NO
Where is the RPE cell density greatest?
In the region of the fovea
Each RPE cell face how many photoreceptor outer segments? What do they do?
30-40, they engulf shed discs from photoreceptors on a daily basis
The apex of the RPE faces the apex of what?
Apex of RPE faces apex of photoreceptor outer segment
Name the layers of Bruch’s membrane from RPE out
- BMRPE
- inner collagenous
- elastic
- outer collagenous
- BMchoriocapillaris
List the 6 general functions of the RPE
- secretion
- phagocytosis-engulf shed discs
- visual cycle
- glia-transport potassium for mullers cells
- epithelial transport-get nutrients from choriocapillaris to retina
- light absorption-melanin absorbs stray light
What doesapical microvilli of the RPE engulf in the morning? And night? Why?
- engulf rods in morning because we use them at night and when they are done being used, they shed them
- engulf cones at night because we use them all day in day light and they shed at night when they are not in use
Where is melanin in RPE? Mitochondria?
Melanin in inner zone, mitochondria in outer zone
What is drusen? Where is it deposited?
- hydrophobic waste from engulfing shed discs is deposited into the inner collagenous zone.
- build up under the RPE
What are the two kinds of visual distortion is caused by AMD? What test do you use to determine this?
- metamorphopsia (blur)
- central scotoma
- ambler grid
What does the RPE secrete?
- vascular endothelial growth factor (for choroid)
- pigment epithelial growth factor
