About RP

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the name given to a group of inherited diseases of the retina (Structure of the Eye) that all lead to a gradual progressive reduction in vision. Difficulties with night vision and peripheral vision are the first things that are noticed. Later, reading vision (detailed vision) and colour vision are affected. The age at which symptoms start is variable and may vary with the different genetic types (Genetics and Retinitis Pigmentosa). The rate at which vision deteriorates is variable but is generally very slow with changes occurring over years rather than months. In approximately half of all cases (50 to 60%) there are other family members with RP. There are three main inheritance patterns, autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant and X-linked inheritance, depending on the genetic cause (Genetics and Retinitis Pigmentosa). RP affects approximately 1 in 3,000 to 4,000 people.

This website principally contains information regarding the eye condition retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Other selected inherited diseases of the retina (the light sensitive layer at the back of the eye) are briefly discussed in the section Other Inherited Retinal Diseases. These include Stargardt Macular Dystrophy, Cone-Rod Dystrophies, Choroideraemia and Age-related Macular Degeneration, with links provided to relevant websites.

We are grateful to Dr Michel Michaelides BSc MB BS MD FRCOphth of Moorfields Eye Hospital for authoring this section and the Research section of this website.