Burning Eyes With Retinitis Pigmentosa

In the United States, an estimated 100,000 people are affected with a debilitating eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa. While not normally painful, this progressive disease is often a precursor to legal blindness.

Definition

• When light enters the eye, it projects onto a tissue called the retina. Within the retina are cells called rods and cones that help process light and color. Retinitis pigmentosa is a disorder of the eye that occurs when the rods gradually stop working, causing the retina to deteriorate. As the condition develops, the eye becomes sensitive to light, which may cause an uncomfortable feeling of burning.

Symptoms

• Believed to be caused by mutated, inherited genes, retinitis pigmentosa develops slowly. Symptoms include loss of peripheral vision, a sensation of flashing lights, loss of color perception or difficulty seeing at night. Its onset ranges from early childhood to middle adulthood. Physicians recommend wearing sunglasses when outdoors to protect the retina and alleviate a potential burning sensation.

Treatment

• While there is no effective treatment or cure for retinitis pigmentosa, scientists continue to seek answers through clinical and research trials. In some cases, Vitamin A supplements may help slow disease progression. Eye drops or a cool, moist compress are recommended for the burning that accompanies the extreme sensitivity to light.