Retinitis pigmentosa Health Dictionary

An inherited condition in which there is degeneration of the rods and cones of the retina at the back of both eyes.

The 1st symptoms appear during or after adolescence and include night blindness.

Tests show a ring-shaped area of blindness which, over some years, extends to destroy an increasing area of the visual field, though central vision is retained, often for many years.

Opthalmoscopy reveals several masses of black pigment corresponding to the areas of visual loss.

Affected individuals and their parents should have genetic counselling.

a hereditary condition characterized by progressive degeneration of the *retina due to malfunctioning of the retinal pigment epithelium. It starts in childhood with *night blindness and limited peripheral vision and may progress to complete loss of vision. Progression and visual function are both extremely variable, depending on the type of retinitis pigmentosa.