Oxidative stress appears to play an important role during ageing of the retina and in the pathophysiology of retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). [1][2][3] The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), localized between the choroid and the neural retina, is particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). 4 Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) is a ROS generated during RPE phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments 5,6 and during light irradiation of melanin present in the RPE. 7 This oxidant is also produced by the photo-excited lipofuscin that accumulates with age in the RPE, and its accumulation is associated with ARMD. 8 Also, it has been reported that iron levels increase in RPE during ageing and that age-dependent iron accumulation is accelerated in patients with ARMD. [9][10][11] Additionally, accumulation of iron can be toxic to the RPE. Indeed, the increase of intracellular ferrous iron produces hydroxyl and lipid alkoxyl radicals through the Fenton reaction, leading to lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation. 12,13