Retinitis Pigmentosa
The Cell Mates
Region IV
؄ Jennifer Auwaerter ؄ Van French
؄ Hanna Foncham ؄ Gwendolyn
Jones
؄ Jodi McQueen
Description of Condition
An Inherited Disease
Light Sensitivity of retina progressively
degenerates vision
Rod Cells/night vision primarily affected
Occasionally Cone cells damaged
Characteristics of Disease
Dark Line in Retina
Decreased Night Vision
Loss of Peripheral/Central Vision
Decrease in Visual Acuity
Treatment
 Wearing glasses
 Low vision devices
 Magnification and
illumination of objects
Functional Implications
 Peripheral vision lost
 Limited visual field
 Limited mobility
 Debilitating glare
 Extreme sensitivity of
light
 Eventual Blindness
Case Studies
 Adult 40+
 Onset 7yrs. old
 Mis-diagnosed/Night
Blindness
 Restrictions
 20-40 years increased
symptoms
 “Vaseline”
Case Study
 Child 2+ years
 Unusual behavior
 Diagnosed 7yrs. Old
 Research
 Fundraising
 Support groups
Resources
Administrator, (2008, September 15). Yorkshire Eye Research. Retrieved August 2, 2009, from Yorkshire
Eye Research Charity Donation Web site: http://www.charitydonationuk.com/eye-diseases/case-studies.html
(April 10, 2009). Learning about retinitis pigmentosa. Retrieved August 4, 2009, from National Human Genome
Research Institute Web site: http://www.genome.gov/13514348
Bailey, Gretchyn (May 2007). All about vision. Retrieved August 4, 2009, from Retinitis pigmentosa Web site:
http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/retinapigment.htm
Dahl, MD, Andrew A. (April 22, 2008). Retinitis pigmentosa. Retrieved August 4, 2009, from Mediline Plus - Medical
Encyclopedia Web site: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001029.htm
(March 30, 2007). Retinitis pigmentosa. Retrieved August 4, 2009, from Aetna Intelihealth Web site:
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/10613.html
Marks, Jamie Finding the Light: One Families Journey in Coping With RP. Retrieved August 2, 2009, from
Foundation Fighting Blindness Web site: http://www.blindness.org/index.php?view=article&catid=79%3Astories-ofhope&id=1861%3Afinding-the-light-one-familys-journey-in-coping-with-rp&option=com_content&Itemid=163
Windsor, Richard L. & Windsor, Laura K. Retinitis Pigmentosa and usher's syndrome: understanding the
visual problems of retinitis pigmentosa . Retrieved August 4, 2009, Web site:
http://www.lowvision.org/retinitis_pigmentosa.htm