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What Is Retinitis Pigmentosa Eye Disease?

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of uncommon eye disorders involving the slow degeneration of the eye's retina. It leads to vision loss. The National Institutes of Health estimate 1 in 4,000 people in the United States have RP.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms of retinitis pigmentosa include losing your peripheral and central vision and a decrease in vision in low light or at night. You'll start having symptoms in childhood but severe vision problems won't appear until early adulthood.

    Causes

    • Retinitis pigmentosa is caused by inherited retinal defects in retinal cells. These defects affect the retina's ability to sense light.

    Diagnosis

    • To diagnose retinitis pigmentosa, your doctor will conduct an exam.

    Treatment

    • There is no specific treatment for retinitis pigmentosa but your doctor may recommend wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from ultraviolet light.

    Considerations

    • Retinitis pigmentosa will continue to progress slowly but it is unlikely you will become completely blind. Consider genetic counseling to determine your child's risk for RP.

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