Aim <p>The mechanism of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex illness that is not fully understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of miR-6837-3p in retinal epithelial cells.</p> Methods <p>H₂O₂ was used to treat ARPE-19 cells for 2, 4 and 6&#xa0;h to mimic the in vivo environment of AMD. MiR inhibitors and mimics were used to inhibit or overexpress miR-6837-3p in H₂O₂-treated ARPE-19 cells, respectively. Then, CCK8 assay, flow cytometry, and wound healing assays were conducted to assess the effects of miR-6837-3p on the behaviors of ARPE-19 cells, including cell growth, apoptosis, cycle progression, and migration. Finally, microRNA database prediction and luciferase reporter assays were used to demonstrate that miR-6837-3p targets the downstream gene E2F6.</p> Results <p>H₂O₂ induced a decrease in cell viability and an increase in ROS levels in a time-dependent manner. Additionally, overexpression of miR-6837-3p increased cell viability and suppressed apoptosis in ARPE-19 cells treated with H₂O₂. Meanwhile, increased miR-6837-3p promoted cell cycle progression and cell migration of ARPE-19 cells. Finally, miR-6837-3p exerted anti-apoptosis and anti-oxidative stress effects by inhibiting the expression of E2F6 in ARPE-19 cells.</p> Conclusions <p>The MiR-6837-3p/E2F6 axis might be a target for the treatment of AMD to improve ARPE-19 cell function.</p>