RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA
Retinitis Pigmentosa also known as RP is an inherited eye condition affecting the retina light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina). When optometrists or ophthalmologists use an ophthalmoscope to look into the eye of a person with RP, they usually see scattered areas of pigment across the retina. By contrast, in a normally sighted person, the pigmented cells are covered by the living nerve cells – the rods and cones. The pigmented appearance gives rise to the name – retinitis pigmentosa.
People affected with RP have difficulties with seeing at night, loss of peripheral (side) vision and may have a tendency to trip over curbs and stairs. Symptoms and rate of visual loss can vary between individuals. At present there is no treatment or cure, but many research groups both in UK and overseas are looking at potential future therapies. Although there is no current treatment for Usher syndrome, it is important to maintain eye checks as cataracts and macula odema (swelling) can be associated with RP and are able to be managed.
When do symptoms of RP begin?
Individuals diagnosed with Usher syndrome type 1 will usually start to develop symptoms of RP within the first decade of their life. Those with Usher syndrome type 2, the symptoms usually appear in the second decade of life.
The rate of vision loss is usually slow, this is why the diagnosis without genetic testing is often not made until the child is in their early teens.
People affected with RP have difficulties with seeing at night, loss of peripheral (side) vision and may have a tendency to trip over curbs and stairs. Symptoms and rate of visual loss can vary between individuals. At present there is no treatment or cure, but many research groups both in UK and overseas are looking at potential future therapies. Although there is no current treatment for Usher syndrome, it is important to maintain eye checks as cataracts and macula odema (swelling) can be associated with RP and are able to be managed.
When do symptoms of RP begin?
Individuals diagnosed with Usher syndrome type 1 will usually start to develop symptoms of RP within the first decade of their life. Those with Usher syndrome type 2, the symptoms usually appear in the second decade of life.
The rate of vision loss is usually slow, this is why the diagnosis without genetic testing is often not made until the child is in their early teens.