Increased expression levels of CytC, CytC-responsive apoptosis proteinase activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) and caspases 3, and other mitochondria apoptosis-related genes (nuclear factor-kappa B P65 [P65] and B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein [Bax]) were observed in Rdh13(-/-) mice.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Rdh13 can protect the retina against acute light-induced retinopathy. Here, CASP3 is linked to retinal disorder.