Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) can be described as an umbrella term, says Marc Mathias, MD, associate professor of ophthalmology and retina specialist at the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center.
This incurable genetic disease affects the retina — the part of the eye that is light-sensitive — and causes photoreceptor cells to breakdown and die. As a result, patients experience gradual vision loss.
While RP is the leading cause of visual disability for people younger than 60, some patients can have exceedingly rare cases of the disease.
Mathias explains RP symptoms, how the disease is diagnosed, and what treatment options are available for patients.