Lipofuscin of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium

Predictors for the progression of geographic atrophy in patients with age-related macular degeneration: fundus autofluorescence study with modified fundus camera

“…It is thought that progressive LF accumulation is mainly a byproduct of the phagocytosis of the membranous discs that are shed from the outer segment of retinal photoreceptors. [1][2][3] LF granules accumulate over time because RPE cells have no mechanism for degrading or transporting LF material granules into the extracellular space. 4 Previous studies have suggested that LF and its constituents have toxic effects on normal RPE cell function.…”

Clinical Characteristics and Current Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

“…For the entire lifespan of the eye, it continually engulfs photoreceptor discs and material from surrounding photoreceptors and RPE cells; it also undergoes autophagy of its cellular contents. Undigested material remains as lipofuscin, a granular lipid-containing pigment containing a mixture of fluorescent cellular byproducts, which exponentially increases with aging (Feeney-Burns et al 1980). As lipofuscin accumulates in the RPE, cytoplasmic space and metabolic capacity become limited, and the RPE deteriorates over time (Panda-Jonas et al 1996).…”

Retinal Changes in Myotonic Dystrophy: A Clinicomorphological Study

“…These undergo a complex peroxidation and eventual conversion to lipofuscin. 22 In myotonia there appears to be an exaggerated failure of degradation of phagosomes and it has been proposed that, in a tissue with limited regenerative capacity such as the RPE, a gradual build-up of lipofuscin could lead to mechanical derangement and ultimately to cellular death. 23 The findings in the present report suggest that the RPE was attempting to eliminate pigment in other ways.…”