Retinitis pigmentosa is the name given to a group of hereditary diseases which cause progressive damage to the retina. The rods and occasionally the cones begin to degenerate or die and this causes the person's vision to diminish.
There are many other hereditary diseases which may affect the retina. The symptoms vary. Some conditions include Stargardt disease, Best disease, cone-rod dystrophy and choroideremia.
Retinitis pigmentosa may be associated as a syndrome with deafness, known as Usher's syndrome.
In people with retinitis pigmentosa, certain other ocular conditions are more likely to occur than in the general population. These include cataracts, glaucoma and myopia (short-sightedness).
This is the advice from Retina Australia based on broadly available research. Every case of retinitis pigmentosa is individual and it is always recommended to seek the advice of your optometrist and / or ophthalmologist.
For further information, or to contact Retina Australia (Qld) go to the website at www.retinaqld.org.au or the national organisation at www.retinaaustralia.com.au
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