The role of MERTK in driving the epithelial cell phagocytosis of apoptotic cells (efferocytosis) of photoreceptor outer segments by the RPE as part of the regular shedding and replacement of these cells in the retina is well established [45] and was first confirmed in the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) naturally occurring rat model of retinal dystrophy. This evidence concerns the gene MERTK and inherited retinal dystrophy.