Retinitis pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited retinal disorders in which photoreceptors progressively degenerate, often causing night blindness and narrowing of the visual field.

Photoreceptor cell: A specialized retinal cell that converts light into electrical signals for vision. Rod and cone photoreceptors are the cells progressively lost in these disorders.
Retina: The light-sensitive neural tissue lining the back of the eye. Retinitis pigmentosa affects the retina, especially its photoreceptors and supporting tissues.
Electroretinography: A test that records the electrical responses of the retina to light stimulation. Reduced rod and cone responses can reveal widespread retinal dysfunction.
Cone-rod dystrophy: An inherited retinal disorder in which cone dysfunction and degeneration generally precede rod involvement. Its early central and color-vision problems contrast with typical rod-first disease.
Gene therapy for inherited retinal disease: Treatment that delivers genetic material to retinal cells to restore or modify gene function. Gene therapy offers a strategy for selected mutations but cannot yet address every disease gene.
Rod cell: A retinal photoreceptor specialized for vision in dim light and peripheral vision. Rod dysfunction commonly causes night blindness and early peripheral field loss.
Retinitis pigmentosa genetics: The study of genes and inheritance patterns associated with retinitis pigmentosa. Hundreds of disease-associated genes help explain its clinical and familial diversity.
Visual field test: A measurement of the extent and sensitivity of a person's visual field. It tracks the progressive peripheral field loss characteristic of the disorder.
Leber congenital amaurosis: A group of severe inherited retinal disorders that cause profound visual impairment from infancy. Its very early onset distinguishes it from many forms of retinitis pigmentosa.
Retinal prosthesis: An implanted device that uses electrical stimulation to provide limited visual information. Prostheses have explored vision restoration when photoreceptor loss is advanced.

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