Gross description:
1. Consist of
single layer of
cells that extends
forward from the
margin of the
optic nerve to the
ora serrata
anteriorly.
2. The cells are
narrow and tall in
the posterior pole
region and become
flattened near the
ora serrata.
3. On tangential
section , the cells
are hexagonal.
4. When seen in section, each
cell consist of an outer non-
pigmented epithelium part
containing a large oval
nucleus and an inner
pigmented portion which
extends as a series of
straight thread-like process
between the rods.
1. The RPE shields the retina from
excess incoming light. It
supplies omega-3 fatty acids and
glucose.
2. Has a participation in the
turnover of the outer segments of
the photoreceptors, and the
formation of the rhodopsin and
iodopsin by storing and releasing
vitamin A.
3. It secretes substances to help
build and sustain the choroid and
retina.
4.
The retinal pigment epithelium also
serves as the limiting transport
factor that maintains the retinal
environment by supplying small
molecules such as amino
acid, ascorbic acid and D-glucose
while remaining a tight barrier to
choroidal blood borne substances.
1. Base- adjacent to the curricular
portion of Bruchs Membrane to which
its basement membrane is firmly
attached. The base contains prominent
infolding of the basal plasma membrane,
many mitochondria, and a little or no
pigment.
It contains:
(Plasma membrane and mitochondria)
2. Body- contains the cell nucleus,
many organelles and lipofuscin.
The lipofuscin become prominent
in the retinal pigment epithelium
underlying the central retina in
individuals older that 30 years.
It contains:
(Nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum,
lipofuscin)
3. Apices-are topped with microvilli in
which the outer segments of the rods
and cones are imbedded in the
interphotoreceptor matrix.
There are no specialized attachments
between the photoreceptors and the
retinal pigment epithelium.
The lateral surfaces of the apices of
adjacent cells (but not the microvilli)
are bound together by terminal bars
that are composed of a basilar portion
and an apical portion.
There is no Intracellular space
at the level of these junctions,
and together with the non-
fenestrated retinal blood vessels
they constitute the blood-retinal
barrier.
Apical portion: It makes contact
loosely with sensory retina
through numerous Microvillus and
concentrated with melanin
granules.
Apex(pigmented, ingested outer segment)
It contains:
1. Microvilli
2. Lateral terminal bars
( Zonula Adherens and zonula occludens )
The zonula occludens (ZO) (Tight
Junction) occupied very large, macular
gap junctions occur within the region.
The zonula adherens (ZA)
(Intermediate Junction) in adult
chicken retinal pigment
epithelium was examined with
cryo-electron microscopic
methods.
Deep-etching of the cross-
fractured ZA showed globules in
the intercellular space
Age related macula
degeneration(ARMD) mainly
affects the older
generation. It can affect
people over 50years of
age. Macula degeneration
occurs when there is
damage to the cells
in the central area of
the retina (the macula)
which are responsible for
seeing fine detail.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
occurs in 'dry' and 'wet' forms:
In dry AMDthe most common form
the light-sensitive cells in the macula
slowly break down, blurring central
vision in the affected eye the
condition develops as the eye ages.
In the 'wet' form, abnormal blood
vessel growth in the eye leads to
the leaking of blood and proteins
into the sensitive cells (called
photoreceptors) in the macula,
damaging them and causing vision
loss.
The wet form is the condition in
its advanced stage.
1. The RPE is responsible for maintaining
the extracellular matrix and the
activity of the photoreceptors.
2. The primary cause of AMD is thought to
be the degeneration of a layer of
specialised cells called retinal
pigment epithelium (RPE)
3. The RPE, melanin granules diminish,
and lipofuscin granules form.
4. As we age, Bruchs membrane tends
to accumulate debris in the elastin
lamina and also drusen between the
collagen layer and RPE basal lamina.
This debris accumulation causes a
reduction in the permeability of
Bruchs membrane.
This will hinder the pumping of waste
from inside to outside of the eye by
the RPE and may cause pigment
epithelial detachments.
1. It is a physical barrier between
the local blood vessels and most
parts of the eye itself, and stops
many substances including drugs from
traveling across it.
2. Inflammation can break down this
barrier allowing drugs and large
molecules to penetrate into the eye.
1. The bloodretinal barrier, or the BRB,
is part of the bloodocular barrier
that consists of cells that are joined
tightly together to prevent certain
substances from entering the tissue of
the retina.
2. It consists of non-fenestrated
capillaries of the retinal circulation
and tight-junctions between retinal
epithelial cells preventing passage of
large molecules
from choriocapillaris into the retina
.
3. BRB Consists of Inner Blood-
Retinal Barrier (IBRB) and
Outer Blood-Retinal (OBRB).
Structure :
The tight junctions of retinal
pigment epithelium maintains the
outer bloodretinal barrier.
:
It regulates fluids and
molecular movement between
the ocular vascular beds and
retinal tissues and prevents
leakage into the retina of
macromolecules and other
potentially harmful agents
Diabetic retinopathy
1.An eye damage that frequently occurs
as a result of diabetes, is related
to the breakdown of the blood
retinal barrier.
2. The barrier becomes more leaky in
patients with diabetic retinopathy
