July 16, 2012 Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a genetic eye disease. Retinitis pigmentosa is night blindness which leads to tunnel vision over the years. Many people do not become “legally” blind to their 40es or 50es and mostly are left with very little vision. Total blindness sometimes occurs when patients are in their early years of childhood. Progression of this disease differs from person to person.
RP enters into the category of hereditary diseases in which photoreceptors (rods and cones) or retinoic pigment epithelium (RPE) leads to a very weak vision and in time to blindness. Patients have problems with transition into dark or night blindness, which leads to shortening of peripheral vision, and during time to complete blindness. Best described by a phrase: “As if you see the world through a straw.”
Causes:
Mutation of rhodopsin, gene that is essential for the visual image, was detected in 1989. Today, over 100 mutations of this gene were found to produce various types of retinal diseases. Most mutations are inherited through a dominant genetic mode.
Treatment:
Currently there is no single treatment or cure for Retinitis Pigmentosa. Scientists are still trying to find out possible treatments. Future treatments may include retinal transplantation, professional implantation of retina, genetic therapy or medications.