Retinitis Pigmentosa

The Cell Mates Region IV ؄ Jennifer Auwaerter ׈ Van French ػ Hanna Foncham ׈ Gwendolyn Jones ػ 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-of hope&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