Retinitis Pigmentosa awareness month

What is Retinisis Pigmentosa?

Retinisis Pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited eye condition that affects the photoreceptor cells, responsible for capturing images from the visual field. These cells line the back of the retina. People who have RP experience a gradual decline in their vision because the two types of photoreceptor cells known as rod and cone cells die.
The role of rod cells is to help with low light and peripheral vision, while cone cells are useful for detailed and colour vision. When someone has RP, the rod and cone cells eventually stop working over time, therefore leading to vision loss. However, it is possible for some people with RP to retain some useful vision well into middle age

What are the symptoms?

One of the earliest symptoms of RP to be aware of is difficulty seeing in dim light, transitioning from light to dark and vice versa. It is also possible that a decline in peripheral vision will be noticeable which will result in a narrowing of the visual field, but central vision is often retained until much later. RP is normally diagnosed in teenage years, but age of onset can range vastly between childhood and late adulthood. As the condition is degenerative, the rate at which it progresses and the amount of vision loss varies from person to person. Due to its complex nature, it is extremely difficult to predict what a particular person’s vision will be like at a certain point in the future.

What causes RP?

One of the earliest symptoms of RP to be aware of is difficulty seeing in 80 genes that cause it have been identified so far. It also isn’t unusual for cases to occur where there is no family history of the disease.

Treatment?

Unfortunately, there aren’t any treatments available that can slow down or stop the progression of RP for most people. Many of the treatments being tested are gene therapies and other similar approaches that are specific to a particular genetic fault. If possible, it is very important that anyone with RP is offered a genetic test so they can access any future treatments or clinical trial opportunities that may become available. Despite the lack of treatments for RP, it is crucial to still have regular eye tests because these can detect early symptoms of the condition such as cataracts.

Get involved.

If you would like to get involved and show your support for RP Awareness Month, there are various ways you can do so. We have a range of leaflets here at NAB with information about the condition.

If you’ve recently received an RP diagnosis and would like further advice and support about how to live life to the full with your condition and make the most of any remaining vision you have, please contact our friendly Eye Clinic Liason Officers (ECLO’s) and they will be there for you right from the point of diagnosis. We also have a wonderful community support team who can come and visit you in the comfort and safety of your own home and demonstrate various pieces of equipment that you might find useful and enhance your independence.

To find out more about these services, please give us a call on 01604719193 and we will be happy to help you. If you think you may be at risk of developing RP yourself, consider booking an eye test as soon as possible. There’s no better time to do it than RP Awareness Month, so seize the moment and do it now: your sight could be saved as a result so it will be time well spent.