Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) refers to a group of diseases that cause slow, progressive loss of vision. The Retina is the tissue lining the inside of the eye and sends visual images to the brain. The light sensing cells of the Retina are gradually destroyed as RP progresses. Patient’s will often first notice difficulty seeing at night and adjusting to changes in illumination, then will begin to lose peripheral vision as well. In advanced cases, a patient may be left with only a small area of central vision.
Although RP is commonly considered to be a hereditary condition, it is important to note that approximately 50% of RP cases are sporadic.
In advanced cases, RP manifests as only a small area of central vision (also known as "tunnel-vision").
