Share:

If you have a family member with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), you may be curious about the condition and your odds of getting it. RP refers to a group of eye diseases that affect the retina, or part of the eye which is sensitive to light. While your eye doctor will answer any questions you may have in greater detail, here’s some basic information about the condition to prepare you for an informed conversation.

What You Should Know About Retinitis Pigmentosa 

What does it do?

In patients with RP, the cells of the retina that detect light, known as the photoreceptor cells, gradually break down. This causes vision loss, as well as a unique coloring of the retina. Patients may retain a small portion of their center field of sight even after the disease progresses.

What are the symptoms?

eye doctorRP typically first appears in childhood, and may initially only affect night vision and peripheral vision. Over time, the field of sight will diminish slowly, resulting in a “tunnel vision” effect.

Patterns of vision loss can change from person to person, with most symptoms occurring between the ages of 10 and 40. Eye doctors can identify the condition based on the pigmentation of the retina. 

What causes it?

In roughly half of all cases, there is a family history of the condition. Odds of contracting RP or the carrier gene for it vary depending on your parents’ genetic makeup; for instance, if both parents are carriers but don’t have the condition, the chances of having an unaffected child are 50%.

In the other half of all cases, the condition remains unexplained. 

How is this treated?

While there is currently no cure for RP, eye doctors may be able to recommend early interventions to potentially slow the rate of vision loss. Treatments such as light avoidance, low-vision aids, and vitamin regimens could slow the progression in some cases. Research into potential cures is also ongoing, especially in the areas of gene therapy, transplants, and retinal prostheses.

 

If you suspect you could be at risk for an eye condition or you’re seeking solutions for diseases such as glaucoma, turn to Tri-State Eye. Serving the Tri-State Area, including Middletown, NY, and Milford, PA, this team of eye doctors, surgeons, and retina specialists uses cutting-edge technology to provide quality vision care for their patients. Discover more about the conditions they treat on their website or call (845) 703-2020 or (570)296-9696 to schedule an appointment.

tracking