ARPE-19 cells were transfected with NC mimics, miR-218 mimics, a NC inhibitor or miR-218 inhibitor, respectively. (A) The effects of transfection of ARPE-19 cells with the miR-218 mimics and inhibitor were confirmed by RT-qPCR; ***P < 0.001 vs. NC group. (B) CCK-8 analysis of cell proliferation among ARPE-19 cells transfected with miR-218 mimics or the inhibitor; **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 vs. NC group. (C) The apoptosis of transfected ARPE-19 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. (D) Hoechst staining was used to evaluate the effects of miR-218 on the apoptosis of ARPE-19 cells transfected with miR-218 mimics or the inhibitor (original magnification ×200, scale bar = 50 μm); NC, negative control. All experiments were repeated three times.