Eye-opening Gene: The Key to Treating Blindness? -- Research Summary
BACKGROUND: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a rare, inherited disease in which the light-sensitive retina of the eye slowly and progressively degenerates. Eventually, blindness results. Rather than being considered a single disease, RP instead is viewed as a group of diseases affecting how light-sensitive cells in the back of the eye function. Not much is known about what causes RP, except that the disease is inherited.
The genes associated with the eye condition control traits that are passed along in a number of different ways. At times, the genetic trait is dominant and likely to be passed along to a child when a parent has RP. At other times, the trait for RP is recessive and may be present for many generations before it appears in a family member. When the trait is dominant, it is more likely to show up when people are in their 40s. When the trait is recessive, it tends to first appear when people are in their 20s. (SOURCE: http://www.allaboutvision.com/)
SYMPTOMS: The first signs of retinitis pigmentosa usually occur in early childhood, when both eyes typically are affected. Night vision can be poor, and the field of vision may begin to narrow. When RP first starts to appear, the light-sensing cells that are responsible for vision in dim light (rods) gradually deteriorate, and seeing at night becomes more difficult. During later stages, only a small area of central vision remains, along with slight peripheral vision. It's very difficult to predict the extent of vision loss or how fast it will progress when you have retinitis pigmentosa. (SOURCE: http://www.allaboutvision.com/)
TREATMENT: There is no effective treatment for RP. Wearing sunglasses to protect the retina from ultraviolet light may help preserve vision. Controversial studies have suggested that treatment with antioxidants, such as vitamin A palmitate, may slow the disease from getting worse. Microchip implants that go inside the retina are in the early stages of development for treating blindness associated with this condition. It can help to see a low-vision specialist. Patients may want to make regular visits to an eye care specialist who can screen for cataracts or retinal swelling, both of which can be treated. (SOURCE: http://health.nytimes.com/health/)
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Omar Montejo
Media Relations
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine(305) 243-5654
OMontejo@med.miami.edu
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Eye-opening Gene: The Key to Treating Blindness? Medical News and Health Information
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