1. What is Retinitis Pigmentosa?

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a general name for a group of eye conditions, all of which are known to be hereditary. In all cases RP affects the light sensitive nerve tissue at the back of the eye, known as the retina, causing a progressive reduction in the visual function.

There are three ways in which RP may be inherited:

Autosomal Dominant Inhertitance
Where RP is known to exist in both the male and female members of a family, there is a 50% risk of a child inheriting RP from the affected parent.

Autosomal Recessive Inheritance
Where there is no known history of RP in a family. However if two carriers have a child there would be a 25% risk of the child developing RP, even when neither parent shows any obvious signs of RP.

X-Linked Inheritance
This is a more complicated form of inheritance in which only the males may develop the condition. Female members of the family become carriers and may develop very mild forms of RP. In a typical case, the sons of a man suffering from X-Linked RP will not develop the condition, but all of his daughters will become carriers. These daughters will each then have a 50% risk of producing an affected son. Similarly they will have a 50% chance of producing a daughter who is a carrier.

2. What will happen to my sight?

Early symptoms of RP will normally begin to manifest themselves between the ages of 10 and 30.

The most common first symptom of RP is a difficulty seeing in low light conditions. This may be associated with a contraction of the peripheral visual field, so called tunnel vision, although in some cases of RP the central vision is affected first.

Later on in the condition, sensitivity to bright lights and sunlight may become a problem.

3. Is there a cure for Retinitis Pigmentosa?

Since RP is a genetic condition there is currently no possible drug related cure or procedure, nor is there likely to be in the very near future.

However over a period of time it is likely that the genes responsible for giving out misinformation to the developing cells will be identified.This raises the possibility of a successful method of prevention prior to the development of the condition. It may also offer the opportunity of introducing corrective genetic material into those people with the condition, leading to the possible regeneration of the damage tissue.

4. Will I go blind?

RP rarely causes the total loss of vision. In the vast majority of cases useful vision will remain well into later life. However RP will not preclude the development of other eye conditions and regular eye examinations are advisable.

There is also the risk of inheriting other conditions such as Usher's Syndrome in addition to RP.

5. How can I help myself?

As previously stated there is little currently that can be done to prevent the inheritance of RP.

Regular visits to an eye care professional are advisable although spectacles may offer little significant benefit in RP.

When considering self-help, probably the single most important factor in helping RP sufferers is the one that is most often neglected. The importance of a good, directional non-glare light source, when attempting any near visual task, cannot be emphasised too strongly.

Techniques such as Sensory Substitution are particularly effective for RP sufferers and Eccentric Viewing may be useful, depending on the location of any visual field losses. Similarly the use of Magnifying Devices and other Non Optical Devices can prove to be of great benefit.