Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a rare,
hereditary disease that causes the rod
photoreceptors in the retina to gradually
degenerate. The rods are located in the
periphery of the retina and are responsible
for peripheral and night vision. Cones,
another type of photoreceptor, are densely
concentrated in the macula. The cones are
responsible for central visual acuity and
color vision.
The disease may be X-linked (passed from a
mother to her son), autosomal recessive
(genes required from both parents) or
autosomal dominant (gene required from one
parent) trait. Since it is often a
sex-linked disease, retinitis pigmentosa
affects males more than females.
People with RP usually first notice
difficulty seeing in dim lighting and
gradually lose peripheral vision. The course
of RP varies. For some, the affect on vision
may be mild. Others experience a progression
of the disease that leads to blindness. In
many cases, RP is diagnosed during childhood
when the symptoms begin to become apparent.
However, depending on the progression of the
disease, it may not be detected until later
in life.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
�Difficulty
seeing dim lighting
�Tendency
to trip easily or bump into objects
when in poor lighting
�Gradual
loss of peripheral vision
�Glare
�Loss
of contrast sensitivity
�Eye
fatigue (from straining to see)
DETECTION
AND DIAGNOSIS
Retinitis pigmentosa is usually
diagnosed before adulthood. It is
often discovered when the patient
complains of difficultly with night
vision. The doctor diagnoses RP by
examining the retina with an
ophthalmoscope. The classic sign of
RP is clumps of pigment in the
peripheral retinal called "bone-spicules."
A test called electroretinography
(ERG) may also be ordered to study
the eye's response to light stimuli.
The test gives the doctor
information about the function of
the rods and cones in the retina.
TREATMENT
There is
currently no standard treatment or therapy
for retinitis pigmentosa; however,
scientists have isolated several genes
responsible for the disease. Once RP is
discovered, patients and their families are
encouraged to seek genetic counseling.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Loss of central vision, This may be
gradual for those with the dry type.
Patients with the wet type may
experience a sudden decrease of the
central vision
Difficulty reading or performing
tasks that require the ability to
see detail
Distorted vision (Straight lines
such as a doorway or the edge of a
window may appear wavy or bent.)
DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS
Diabetic patients require routine eye
examinations so related eye problems can be
detected and treated as early as possible.
Most diabetic patients are frequently
examined by an internist or endocrinologist
who in turn work closely with the
ophthalmologist.
The diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy is
made following a detailed examination of the
retina with an ophthalmoscope. Most patients
with diabetic retinopathy are referred to
vitreo-retinal surgeons who specialize in
treating this disease.
COPYRIGHT � 2014 APOLLO EYE INSTITUTE DR
MALLIKA GOYAL
