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Retinitis pigmentosa
Definition:
Retinitis pigmentosa is a progressive degeneration of the retina (part of the eye) which affects night vision and peripheral vision. Alternative Names:
RP Text Continues Below
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Retinitis pigmentosa commonly runs in families. The disorder can be caused by defects in a number of different genes which have recently been identified. The cells controlling night vision, called rods, are most likely to be affected. However, in some cases, retinal cone cells are most damaged. The hallmark of the disease is the presence of dark pigmented spots in the retina. As the disease progresses, peripheral vision is greadually lost. The condition may eventually lead to blindness, but usually not complete blindness. Signs and symptoms often first appear in childhood, but severe visual problems do not usually develop until early adulthood. The main risk factor is a family history of retinitis pigmentosa. It is an uncommon condition affecting about 1 in 4,000 people in the U.S.
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