What Are Symptoms of Retinitis Pigmentosa?

Retinitis pigmentosa is a rare hereditary progressive retinal disease that effects the retinal photoreceptor cells. In most cases both eyes are affected. Some individuals have a family history of the disease.

The teen years are often a time when this disease is initially diagnosed, although it can be present during childhood or develop at a later age. When it develops at a later age, it does not tend to become advanced.

What are the symptoms of retinitis pigmentosa? A patient usually notices difficulty in night vision first, often followed by difficulty with peripheral vision. In advanced cases, loss of central vision will be noticed.

Visual field testing will help detect abnormalities with peripheral vision and will be performed by your doctor, who may also perform electrophysiological testing. Genetic testing is important to find the molecular cause for retinitis pigmentosa in order for development of treatment, including gene therapy.   

For more information and an schedule a retinal exam, please contact Associated Retina Consultants in Phoenix at 602-242-4928 or associatedretinaconsultants.com.