Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a genetic condition that leads to vision loss over time. A person first loses their night vision, then their daytime vision.
Often, people with RP have other eye problems that affect vision, such as cloudy lenses (cataracts) or swelling of the retina.
In most types of retinitis pigmentosa (ret-in-EYE-tis pig-men-TOE-suh), the loss of night vision begins around age 10 and continues into adulthood. Sometimes it can begin earlier or later.
Vision loss happens slowly. When it starts, a child may:
These problems usually show up when the child is doing normal activities. For example, a child may start to:
The retina is a thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye. It receives light and changes it into signals that travel to the brain, letting us see images. The retina is made of light-sensitive cells called rod cells and cone cells.
In retinitis pigmentosa, over time the rod cells, which help us see at night, die off. Then, the cone cells, which help us see colors in daylight, die off.
Sometimes RP runs in a family or happens in people with some types of health syndromes. Other people get it without a family history or a syndrome.
If the condition runs in a family, genetic testing can tell whether a child is likely to get RP before symptoms start.
When a child shows symptoms of RP, an eye specialist will:
The eye specialist may order tests, including:
There's no treatment to cure retinitis pigmentosa or bring back lost vision. In some cases, diet changes and vitamins can slow the loss of vision a little. Doctors may recommend that kids with RP wear sunglasses to avoid bright sunlight when outdoors.
If kids with RP have other eye problems that can make their vision worse (such as cataracts or swelling), those can be treated.
If your child has retinitis pigmentosa, talk with a genetic counselor to find out:
Follow the eye doctor's instructions for any diet changes, vitamins, or protection from bright light.
You also can find more information and support online at:
Reviewed by: Jonathan H. Salvin, MD
Date Reviewed: 11-11-2019