**5. Conclusions**

The results of this present study confirm that when differentiated RPE cells were exposed to both visible light (3500 lux or 5000 lux) and a PUFA-rich environment (25.0 μmol/L DHA) for 12–24 h, elevated oxidative stress and degenerative phagocytosis occur. However, fucoxanthin pretreatment at 20.0 μg/mL was found to effectively suppress the oxidative damage, inflammatory response, and phagocytosis disorder in RPE cells. Furthermore, the enhanced expression of Nucl-Nrf2 and the restored activity of detoxification enzymes such as HO-1 and NQO1 were simultaneously observed. Therefore, it is the conclusion of this work that the ameliorative effect of fucoxanthin on the phagocytosis of RPE cells should be closely related to the Nrf2 signaling pathway. However, recent studies have indicated that ARPE19 cells are different from natural RPE cells in terms of phenotype, including tight junction protein expression and pigment deposition. Therefore, in vivo animal experiments should be considered in future studies.

**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization and validation, Y.L. (Yixiang Liu) and Y.W.; methodology and writing—review and editing, Y.L. (Yixiang Liu); formal analysis, Z.G.; investigation, S.W.; resources, Y.L. (Yixiang Liu); data curation, Y.W.; data curation and writing—original draft preparation, Y.L. (Yunjun Liu); supervision and projectadministration, Y.W.; funding acquisition, Y.L. (Yixiang Liu) All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** This research was funded by Fujian Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars (2020J06024) and Jimei University Young Talent Program (ZR2020001).

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.
