What Is A RPE Change In The Eye?

Posted on Tue, 19 Jul 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 19 Jul 2016 Answered on

Wed, 10 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Just a follow up on my recent question on my eye condition. Since I am diagnosed with early dry AMD on my left eye due to "RPE change" despite no presence of drusen from OCT. What exactly is RPE changes?

Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (25 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Retinal pigment epithelium damage

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Thanks for sending your query to us .
RPE is a very important layer.Functioning as a light absorbing layer to maintaining blood retina barrier.This can be effected by injury, inflammation or autoimmune effects.These are seen as gegrophical patterns when we look into the eye. This is a single layered sheet.Any defect in this layer will be grouped as RPE change.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Priyanka G Raj

Follow up: Dr. N K Mishra (24 hours later)

Thanks Dr Misra, so would my "RPE change" be hyperpigmentation as i can see yellowish colour on the retina photos. Thanks again.

Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
RPE effect

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
These will be hypo pigmented areas as hyperpigmented areas will appear darker coloured.The yellowish coloured geographical patterned areas will be RPE defect.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng