Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitus Pigmentosa
Table of Contents
Alternative names Definition Causes, Incidence and Risk Factors	Prevention Symptoms Signs & Tests Treatment	Expectations Complications Calling Your health care provider
Alternative Names Night blindness - disease
Definition A progressive degeneration of the retina that affects night vision and peripheral vision
Causes, Incidence and Risk Factors The cause of this disorder is unknown, but it may be an inherited disorder. The cells controlling night vision, called rods, are primarily affected. Dark pigmentation may be present on the retina. As the disease progresses, peripheral vision is lost as well and may lead to blindness. Signs and symptoms often first appear in childhood, but visual incapacity does not develop until early adulthood. The risk factors are a family history of retinitis pigmentosa. It is a rare condition.
Prevention Genetic counseling may determine the risk of this disease occurring in a person's offspring.
Symptoms vision decreased at night or in reduced light loss of peripheral vision loss of central vision (in advanced cases)
Signs & Tests Tests determine the integrity of the retina: visual acuity refraction test color defectiveness determination muscle integrity evaluation pupillary reflex response slit lamp examination intraocular pressure determination retinal examination ultrasound of the eye (head and eye echoencephalogram) retinal photography fluorescent angiography electroretinogram (a record of the action currents of the retina produced by visual or light stimuli)
Treatment The is no effective treatment for this condition. The use of sunglasses to protect the retina from ultraviolet light may have a vision-preserving effect. Recent studies have indicated that treatment with antioxidant agents such as vitamin E may delay the progression of this disease.
Expectations (Prognosis) The disorder will continue to progress.
Complications Peripheral and central loss of vision (blindness) will eventually occur. Retinitis pigmentosa is associated with a number of other disorders, including: Friedreich's ataxia mucopolysaccharidosis muscular dystrophy (myotonic dystrophy) Laurence-Moon syndrome (also called Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome, an inherited disorder causing mental deficiency, vision problems, kidney disorders, muscular problems, and other problems)
Calling your doctor/health care provider Call for an appointment with your health care provider if night vision becomes difficult or if other symptoms of this disorder develop.