Specifically generates 13-cis retinol, a stereoisomeric form of retinoic acid. 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 Binds 1 Fe(2+) ion per subunit. kcat is 0.00044 sec(-1) with all-trans-retinyl ester as substrate. Attached to the membrane by a lipid anchor when palmitoylated (membrane form), soluble when unpalmitoylated. Predominantly expressed in brain. Expressed at a low level in the eye. Detectable in migrating neural crest cells during somitogenesis. At early larval stages, expression is visible in the ventricular zone, the upper and lower jaw and the developing pectoral fins. At later larval stages, expression fades out. Palmitoylated. Belongs to the carotenoid oxygenase family.