RDH8 (retinol dehydrogenase 8) is a visual cycle enzyme that reduces all-trans-retinal to all-trans-retinol with a clear preference for NADP cofactor 1. The protein plays a critical protective role in retinal health by facilitating clearance of toxic all-trans-retinal, particularly under high light conditions 2. RDH8 works in conjunction with ABCA4 and RDH12 to prevent accumulation of all-trans-retinal and its condensation products like A2E, which are associated with retinal degeneration 2. Loss of RDH8 function leads to delayed all-trans-retinal clearance, resulting in A2E accumulation in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and subsequent ferroptosis - an iron-dependent form of cell death characterized by lipid peroxidation 34. Studies using Abca4-/-Rdh8-/- double knockout mice demonstrate progressive retinal degeneration under light exposure, serving as models for Stargardt disease and dry age-related macular degeneration 5. The first human case of biallelic RDH8 mutations causing autosomal recessive Stargardt macular dystrophy was recently reported, confirming the gene's clinical relevance 6. These findings establish RDH8 as essential for visual cycle homeostasis and retinal protection against light-induced damage.