Catalyzes both 11-cis retinol and 13-cis retinol, 2 stereoisomeric forms of retinoic acid from all-trans-retinyl ester. Acts as an alternative isomerohydrolase in retinal Mueller cells by catalyzing formation of 11-cis retinol, to meet the high demand for the chromophore by cones (PubMed:21676174). Capable of catalyzing the isomerization of lutein to meso-zeaxanthin an eye-specific carotenoid (By similarity). an all-trans-retinyl ester + H2O = 13-cis-retinol + a fatty acid + H(+) lutein = (3R,3'S)-zeaxanthin an all-trans-retinyl ester + H2O = 11-cis-retinol + a fatty acid + H(+) all-trans-retinyl hexadecanoate + H2O = 11-cis-retinol + H(+) + hexadecanoate Binds 1 Fe(2+) ion per subunit. Attached to the membrane by a lipid anchor when palmitoylated (membrane form), soluble when unpalmitoylated. Retinal Mueller cells. Detected in the inner retina near the ganglion cell layer, in a region where the Mueller end feet are located, and a weak signal is observed between the outer nuclear and ganglion cell layers (at protein level). Palmitoylated. Belongs to the carotenoid oxygenase family.