Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinitis Pigmentosa (
RP) is an inherited, degenerative condition that affects the retina, the light-sensitive part of the eye. The retina consists of millions of light-sensitive photoreceptor cells, which transmit light to the brain via the optic nerve. RP causes some photoreceptor cells to gradually fade and die, losing the ability to transmit visual messages to the brain. RP usually begins to affect people in their teenage years. Most people experience gradual peripheral vision loss (or 'tunnel vision') and difficulties with poor illumination and night vision. Central vision is usually unaffected, so the person may still be able to read. However, it can also deteriorate to cause total blindness.
Functional implications of RP include:
- Having difficulty noticing objects at ground level, head height and above
- Tripping over or bumping into objects
- Being unable to differentiate between the footpath and road
- Having difficulty walking on uneven ground
- Being particularly sensitive to glare and light
- Having difficulty adjusting to lighting changes (e.g. at dusk or sunrise)
- Having a limited view of objects
- Seeing only a portion of images.