Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of eye diseases that cause the slow deterioration of the retina in both eyes. The symptoms are similar for all types of retinitis pigmentosa. What is retinitis pigmentosa? What are its causes and symptoms? Here are the answers from our IRIS eye professionals.
Retinitis pigmentosa: A hereditary retinal disease
Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of hereditary retinal diseases. Because it is caused by genetics, there is currently no effective way of preventing its onset. The disease is characterized by a progressive deterioration of the retina's photoreceptor cells. However, retinitis pigmentosa as an eye condition is rare.
The retina and retinitis pigmentosa
The retina is the part of the eye that is sensitive to light and transmits information to the optic nerve. When affected by retinitis pigmentosa, its photoreceptor cells, called rods and cones, deteriorate.
Rods are responsible for low-light vision. As for cones, they enable us to see and differentiate colours, among other things.
Retinitis pigmentosa progresses slowly. Unfortunately, this progressive loss of visual acuity can eventually lead to blindness.
Age and retinitis pigmentosa
The age at which retinitis pigmentosa appears varies. It can develop at any stage of life. In most cases, however, it is diagnosed between the ages of 10 and 30.
If retinitis pigmentosa runs in your family, a thorough eye exam can assess your overall eye health. We also recommend an eye test if you have doubts or notice that your eyesight has changed.
What causes retinitis pigmentosa?
Retinitis pigmentosa is generally caused by genetic abnormalities inherited from biological parents. However, it can also be linked to spontaneous genetic mutations.
The affected genes play an important role in protein production. And these proteins are essential for developing the rods and cones in the retina.
Only one of a person's two biological parents needs to have a mutated gene for the pathology to be genetically transmitted.
What are the symptoms of retinitis pigmentosa?
This eye condition leads to a gradual deterioration in vision, which varies from person to person.
Early symptoms often include difficulty seeing in the dark. But they can also include:
- Reduced peripheral vision (tunnel vision)
- Reduced visual acuity in dark environments
As the disease progresses, symptoms intensify, and the central vision may also be affected. The result is difficulty in all activities requiring good visual acuity, such as reading.
Diagnosis and treatment of retinitis pigmentosa
The retinitis pigmentosa diagnosis is based on an initial visual exam by an optometrist. A fundus examination, supplemented by an electroretinogram, will be carried out in cases of poor night vision or family history.
The presence of black pigments in the retina is characteristic of retinitis pigmentosa.
There is currently no cure for this eye disease. However, vision aids and devices are available to help sufferers to continue performing everyday activities.
This rare disease is the subject of extensive research to develop effective treatments.
