English
Learn more about retinitis pigmentosa

Learn more about retinitis pigmentosa

23 December 2021

Refer a Patient

Retinitis pigmentosa is an eye disease that affects the retina, causing early and progressive degeneration of its cells. This pathology alters the way the retina responds to light, thus making vision difficult.

This disease is hereditary. The type and speed of vision loss caused by retinitis pigmentosa varies from person to person.

Electroretinography is used to diagnose retinitis pigmentosa, which measures electrical activity in the retina or the degree to which it responds to light. This test would be the electrocardiogram that measures the health and activity of our heart.

If you have retinitis pigmentosa, you may lose your vision in the following ways:

• Loss of night vision. It presents as a partial or total difficulty to see in low light or in the dark, especially when going from very illuminated environments to places with little light. As night vision decreases, it takes longer for you to adjust to the dark. Vision can be normal during the day.

• Gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision. It is known as "tunnel vision" and can be noticed when the person begins to collide with furniture or objects while walking.

• Loss of central vision. Some people also have central vision problems, which can make it difficult to do fine tasks like reading or threading a needle.

• Color vision problems. Some people have difficulty seeing different colors.

There is no single treatment for retinitis pigmentosa, as there are more than 100 genes that cause it. Scientists are studying why and how this condition runs in families.

Being a pathology of genetic origin, retinitis pigmentosa cannot be prevented, however it is important to anticipate the events and go to the ophthalmologist periodically for early detection, especially if there is a family history.

Make your appointment online.

FaLang translation system by Faboba
Request an appointment online

Request an appointment online

Click here to go to the form