What does the choriocapillaris do to the retina?

What does the choriocapillaris do to the retina?

• A. Nourishes the RPE and Photoreceptors
• B. Supports the vitreous body
• C. Supplies the inner retina
• D. Drains the retina

Answer: (A)

The choriocapillaris is the dense capillary layer of the choroid just beneath the RPE and Bruch’s membrane, and its main role is to supply the outer retina with nutrients and oxygen. Because the outer retina, including the photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium, relies on this outer blood supply rather than the retinal vessels, nourishment from the choriocapillaris is essential for their health and function. The inner retina gets its blood from the retinal circulation, not the choroid, and the vitreous itself is avascular. So the best description of what the choriocapillaris does to the retina is nourish the RPE and photoreceptors.

The choriocapillaris is the dense capillary layer of the choroid just beneath the RPE and Bruch’s membrane, and its main role is to supply the outer retina with nutrients and oxygen. Because the outer retina, including the photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium, relies on this outer blood supply rather than the retinal vessels, nourishment from the choriocapillaris is essential for their health and function. The inner retina gets its blood from the retinal circulation, not the choroid, and the vitreous itself is avascular. So the best description of what the choriocapillaris does to the retina is nourish the RPE and photoreceptors.