Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis Pigmentosa is the name given to the group of inherited eye diseases that affect the retina. The retina consists of rods and cones which process light. When the rods and cones no longer function we loose sight. Rods are located around the edge of the retina and help us see images in our peripheral vision and they help us see in dimmly lighted areas. Cone cells are located in the macula are responsible for fine visual detail in the center of the visual field and to perceive color. Together rods and cone cells are responsible to change light into electrical impulses that carries the image to our brain.

RP is the result of the gradual degeneration of the rods and cones of your retina. Night blindness is usually the first symptom followed by a gradual loss of peripheral vision, however in some types of retinitis pigmentosa the cones are affect first and cause color problems and fuzzy center vision.

RP is a genetic disorder that is usually hereditary. The link will lead you to John Wenberg's Retinitis Pigmentosa Page, a veritable gold mine of information about RP. There are several different ways the disorder is passed on to the next generation. Even members of the same family don't show the same degree of disability. Some may have obvious problems with their sight from childhood on. Others may not notice symptoms until they are much older.

Accepting and living with the vision loss RP causes is difficult because you know that it won't get better. Not only it won't get better, but it's very likely to keep getting worse. Now, you can panic or learn how to regain as much independence as you can through low vision aids. A normally sighted person who runs into fog suddenly on the highway has two options; panic or deal with the situation by taking precautions. The way you deal with RP will determine the quality of life you and your family have.

Vitamin A has recently shown promise in slowing the progress of RP in a study of the effects of Vitamin A on RP. Vitamin A can be toxic in large doses, so you need to take care when you take these supplements and only take 15000 IU. Don't take more than that. While Vitamin A helps, a dose of 400 IU of Vitamin E causes the RP to worsen more quickly. Consult with your doctor before starting a regimin of Vitamin A.

Dale L. Edwards