Required for normal development of photoreceptor synapses. Required for normal photoreceptor function and for long-term survival of photoreceptor cells. Interacts with cytoskeleton proteins and may play a role in protein transport in photoreceptor cells (By similarity). Binds lipids, especially phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate, phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate, phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate, phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate, phosphatidylinositol 4,5- bisphosphate, phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-bisphosphate, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidic acid (in vitro). Contribute to stimulation of phagocytosis of apoptotic retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and macrophages. {ECO:0000250, ECO:0000269|PubMed:16303976, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19837063}. This is the function of ENSG00000112041 (TULP1, TUB like protein 1).