Retinitis Pigmentosa : Causes and Symptoms | Night Blindness | अंधता की बीमारी रेटिनाइटिस पिगमेंटोसा: कारण, लक्षण, इलाज

Retinitis Pigmentosa : Causes and Symptoms | Night Blindness | अंधता की बीमारी रेटिनाइटिस पिगमेंटोसा: कारण, लक्षण

Retinitis pigmentosa, In this video, Dr. Parveen Sen, Retina Specialist from Agarwal Eye Hospital Chandigarh discusses Retinitis pigmentosa.

 It is an hereditary disease of the retina of the eye. By hereditary it means it occurs due to the presence of a genetic cause or any defect. There are almost 100 defective genes that can cause retinitis pigmentosa.

Symptoms of Retinitis pigmentosa :

Most of the patients who have this condition have troubled night vision. If they enter a dark room, unlike other people who can see a little or walk around, these patients can’t see anything. In addition they can see straight but have difficulty in side vision.These patients usually  see by tilting their entire face because they have poor side eye vision. Often they bump into things sideways. If one is observing these symptoms then they must visit a Retina specialist for Retinal examination. Since it is a hereditary condition parents may acquire it. But it may occur without any family history. 

Progression of Retinitis Pigmentosa:

Retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic condition affects rods cells of the retina. The retina consists of two types of cells, rods and cones. Rod cells are responsible for night vision; as a result patients have poor night vision. But as soon as the disease progresses it starts affecting cone cells that are responsible for vision in bright light. Under these circumstances this condition starts affecting the studies and reduces the 24-hour vision of the patient. Since it is a genetic condition doctors don’t have any treatment that can completely reverse the effect. But it is very important that one gets a proper diagnosis of this condition. 

Diagnosis 

After the examination of the retina by Retina specialists, doctors advise a few tests which is more commonly called OCT angiography or Fundoscopy and most important is electrophysiological test. Electrophysiological tests help us determine the function of rods and cones cells and how much cells are affected by the condition.  If the function of rod and cones cells is sub normal then the most usual cause is retinitis pigmentosa. Even one can opt for a blood test which helps in identification of genes i.e  out of 100 defective genes which gene is  causing this eye condition. In addition, with the latest advancement in science, there are a whole lot of treatment options. Newer treatments like gene therapy or Stem cell therapy are in the pipeline. 

Today doctors can’t give this treatment but in the near future they can tell about the exact gene causing this condition and about the latest technology. Also these latest technologies would help in predicting the risk of defective genes in future generations like children, family and counsel them accordingly. One must visit their Retina Specialist and have a proper examination. One may receive specs or any aid for reading and writing and studies and it may help in the existing vision. Always remember if you are having trouble in night vision then never ignore it and have retina check-up done.

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