THE RETINAL-PIGMENT EPITHELIUM AS A DEVELOPMENTAL REGULATOR OF THE NEURAL RETINA

Melanin-related agents regulate the development of the mammalian neura l retina, because in albinos there are a range of retinal deficits inc luding abnormal connections between the eye and brain, an underdevelop ed central retina and a rod deficit. These deficits may arise because gradients of retinal development in the albino are delayed and the ret ina is abnormally proliferative, but also goes through a subsequent pe riod of excessive cell death. This may be caused by a reduction in ocu lar DOPA in albinos as this is in the synthetic pathway of melanin and is a known cell cycle regulator.