Retinitis Pigmentosa - A Genetic Disease

A retinitis pigmentosa or retinitis pigmentosa(or retinitis pigmentosa, retinopathia pigmentosa, RP) is a genetic disease that attacks the retina causing destruction of their cells. The patient has the disease gradually loses the sight First night vision after vision even during the day. The loss of perception of colors and shades in contrast also gradually affects the patient.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited diseases of the retina (it is structure of the Eye) that all lead to a gradual progressive reduction in vision. Difficulties with night vision, sight and peripheral vision are the first things that are noticed. Later, reading vision (detailed vision) and color vision are affected and exaggerated. The age at which symptoms begin is variable and may vary with the different hereditary and genetic types (Genetics and Retinitis Pigmentosa). The time and rate at which vision deteriorates is variable but is generally very slow with changes occurring over years rather than months. In approximately half of all cases (50 to 60%) there are other family members with RP. There are main three most important inheritance patterns, autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant and X-linked inheritance, depending on the genetic cause (Genetics and Retinitis Pigmentosa). Retinitis pigmentosa mainly affects approx 1 in 3,000 to 4,000 people.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group name of hereditary eye disorders. These disorders have an effect on the retina, which is the inside layer light-sensitive tissue, lining the back of the eye, in which the first stages of seeing take place. In RP, sight loss is slow and gradual but progressive. It is abnormal and unusual for people with RP to become totally blind as most retain some useful vision well into old age.

Causes of Retinitis pigmentosa (RP):
It is currently known that there are many different inherited problems causing RP. In all Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) -associated conditions however, the ability of the retina to respond to light is affected. The problem can be in numerous parts of the retina such as the rod or cone cells, or in the connections between the cells of the retina.
Symptoms of RP

The most common first symptom is difficulty in seeing in poor light, for example outdoors at dusk, or in a dimly lit room. A second indication is reduction of the visual field, in which view is lost from the sides, or from above and below. This is frequently referred to as tunnel vision and means that the rod cells, and several of the outer cone cells, have been affected first.

In some Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) - associated conditions central vision is lost first. The first signs of this are complicated in reading print or carrying out detailed work. All Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) conditions are progressive, but the speed at which deterioration takes place varies from one person to another.

In various types of Retinitis pigmentosa, glare from bright lights is an increasing problem and trouble, although some people do not experience this until the more advanced stages.

There is no hard and fast rule, but in most cases the early symptoms of Retinitis pigmentosa increase and develop between the ages of 10 and 30.