What is retinitis pigmentosa (RP)?
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) (pronounced reh-tuh-nai-tuhs pig-muhn-tow-suh) is the name given to a diverse group of inherited eye disorders. These eye conditions affect the part of your eye called the retina.
RP causes gradual but permanent changes that reduce your vision. How much of your vision is lost, how quickly this happens and your age when it begins will depend on the type of RP that you have. The changes to your retina can affect your peripheral vision (also known as your side vision) and make it difficult for you to see in dim light or in the dark. Your central vision can also become affected and this will make it difficult for you to see colour and do things such as reading or watching television.
RP is a hereditary condition caused by a fault in one of the genes, it can be inherited one of 4 ways:
- Autosomal dominant inheritance - this can be inherited from either your mother or your father, usually this parent will also have RP
- Autosomal recessive inheritance - requires two faulty genes, one inherited from your mother and one inherited from your father.
- X-linked inheritance - a man with X-linked RP will pass on the faulty gene to all his daughters but not to his sons.
- No known relative - this may be because a relative is a carrier of RP but hasn’t shown signs of the condition themselves.
RP causes permanent changes to your vision, but how much and how quickly can vary dramatically from person to person. These retinal changes can affect your side vision and your central vision. Some people with RP may become blind but most people will keep some useful vision well into old age.
