Research
The Research section aims to provide an overview of the wide range of laboratory studies and clinical trials relevant to retinitis pigmentosa (RP) that are being conducted at many locations around the world. Special attention will be paid to the research work being done that may lead to potential future treatments for the RP group of inherited retinal diseases (About RP).
There is currently no cure for retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and apart from one or two very rare forms of RP (Refsum syndrome and Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome (Abetalipoproteinaemia)) there are no proven treatments that slow or stop the condition from gradually worsening over time. There is cautious optimism that new treatments may become available over the next decade. Several different avenues are being investigated that will hopefully result in new therapies for RP and other related conditions (Other Inherited Retinal Diseases). The various treatment strategies being investigated include Gene Therapy, Stem Cell Therapy, Transplantation and Artificial Vision – these and other possible future treatments are discussed in separate sections, with links provided for further detailed information.
RP represents a large group of inherited conditions that are caused by a diverse set of faulty genes (Genetics and retinitis pigmentosa). Some of the treatment options being researched are aimed at treating specific faulty genes (including Gene Therapy), whilst other research efforts are studying potential therapies that can be used in a broader range of RP subtypes, possibly all types of RP or Other Inherited Retinal Diseases (including Growth Factors and Stem Cell Therapy). Furthermore, some of the treatment options may be useful to people with early or mild disease (including Nutritional Studies), whilst other treatments may be more appropriate for those with late or severe vision loss (for example Artificial Vision). It is also possible that various treatment options may be combined and together be more effective than when used alone, e.g. combining Gene Therapy and Growth Factors.
Research progress is rapid and efforts will be made to keep information up to date on the website. The most recent research findings can be located at Latest Research News. The British Retinitis Pigmentosa Society is committed to funding and supporting high quality medical research aimed at understanding the causes of RP and developing and evaluating new treatments (BRPS Research Funding and Applications).
We are grateful to Dr Michel Michaelides BSc MB BS MD FRCOphth of Moorfields Eye Hospital for authoring this section and the About RP section of this website.
There is currently no cure for retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and apart from one or two very rare forms of RP (Refsum syndrome and Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome (Abetalipoproteinaemia)) there are no proven treatments that slow or stop the condition from gradually worsening over time. There is cautious optimism that new treatments may become available over the next decade. Several different avenues are being investigated that will hopefully result in new therapies for RP and other related conditions (Other Inherited Retinal Diseases). The various treatment strategies being investigated include Gene Therapy, Stem Cell Therapy, Transplantation and Artificial Vision – these and other possible future treatments are discussed in separate sections, with links provided for further detailed information.
RP represents a large group of inherited conditions that are caused by a diverse set of faulty genes (Genetics and retinitis pigmentosa). Some of the treatment options being researched are aimed at treating specific faulty genes (including Gene Therapy), whilst other research efforts are studying potential therapies that can be used in a broader range of RP subtypes, possibly all types of RP or Other Inherited Retinal Diseases (including Growth Factors and Stem Cell Therapy). Furthermore, some of the treatment options may be useful to people with early or mild disease (including Nutritional Studies), whilst other treatments may be more appropriate for those with late or severe vision loss (for example Artificial Vision). It is also possible that various treatment options may be combined and together be more effective than when used alone, e.g. combining Gene Therapy and Growth Factors.
Research progress is rapid and efforts will be made to keep information up to date on the website. The most recent research findings can be located at Latest Research News. The British Retinitis Pigmentosa Society is committed to funding and supporting high quality medical research aimed at understanding the causes of RP and developing and evaluating new treatments (BRPS Research Funding and Applications).
We are grateful to Dr Michel Michaelides BSc MB BS MD FRCOphth of Moorfields Eye Hospital for authoring this section and the About RP section of this website.
