Retinal Pigment Epithelium
Macular degeneration is not only the death of rod and cone cells but also the degeneration of the tissue or layers that lie underneath the retina. Those layers are: 
1. ScleraThis is the firm, hard outer layer of the eye - like the cover of a basketball. The sclera prevents the eye from collapsing and gives it its firm shape. 2. Choroid A layer of blood vessels that brings nutrients to the macula. It is essential that the blood supply is adequate to meet the high demands of the retina for oxygen, nutrients and minerals. 3. Bruch's Membrane Bruch's membrane lies between the choroid and the retinal pigment epithelium. If any breaks develop in this layer, blood will leak into the retina causing wet macular degeneration. 4. Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) Plays many important roles but one is the transportation and storage of vitamin A. The photoreceptor cells are responsible for our color, detailed, sharp vision and our peripheral and night vision.
Functions of the RPEDid you know that waste products accumulate every day in our retinas? Removing these waste products results in better vision while a build up of these waste products contributes to poor vision. Both the rods and cones shed membranes - daily.It is the responsibility of the RPE to carry away the waste from the rod and cone cells to choroid layer. It also works to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the cone and rod cells from the choroid. If this delivery system becomes disabled and the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the rod and cone cells is impaired, or wast products aren't removed, the result is a degeneration or dying of these cells.
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