• UCLA Health
  • myUCLAhealth
  • School of Medicine
Eye Care

Stein Eye Institute | Doheny Eye Centers

Eye Care
  • About Us
    • Message from the Chairman
    • Academic Mission
    • UCLA Stein Eye Institute
    • UCLA Ophthalmology Alumni Association
    • About Stein and Doheny Affiliation
    • Annual Report
    • Clinical Update
    • News
    • Executive Committee
    • Academic Divisions
    • Academic Centers
    • Philanthropy
    • Mobile Eye Clinic
    • Webinars
    • Job Postings
    • Events
    • Contact Us
  • EYE Magazine
    • Eye Newsletter
  • Conditions and Treatment
    • Eye Signs and Symptoms
    • Eye Conditions
    • Surgical Treatments
    • Non-Surgical Treatments
  • Eye Research
    • Clinical Trials
    • Clinical Research Center
    • Publications
    • Research Laboratories
    • SEI Seminar Series
    • Vision Research Core at UCLA
  • Our Providers
  • Training and Education
    • Educational Activities
    • Training Programs
  • Our Locations
    • UCLA Stein Eye Institute Westwood
    • UCLA Stein Eye Center Santa Monica
    • UCLA Stein Eye Center Calabasas
    • Doheny Eye Center UCLA Pasadena
    • Doheny Eye Center UCLA Arcadia
    • Doheny Eye Center UCLA Orange County
  • UCLA Health
  • myUCLAhealth
  • School of Medicine

Stein Eye Institute | Doheny Eye Centers

Eye Conditions

Eye Conditions

Eye Conditions

  • Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
  • Astigmatism
  • Bags (Fat Prolapse)
  • Blepharitis
  • Blepharoptosis (Droopy Eyelid)
  • Blepharospasm
  • Cataract
  • Computer-Related Eye Fatigue
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Diabetic Retinopathy
  • Double Vision (Diplopia)
  • Dry Eye
  • Floaters and Flashes
  • Glaucoma
  • Graves’ Disease
  • Migraine (Headache)
  • Herpes (Ocular Herpes)
  • Herpes Zoster (Shingles)
  • HIV-Related Eye Problems
  • Hyperopia
  • Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
  • Keratitis (Corneal Infection)
  • Keratoconus
  • Low Vision
  • Macular Hole
  • Macular Degeneration
  • Melanoma
  • Myasthenia Gravis
  • Myopia (Nearsightedness)
  • Nystagmus
  • Optic Neuritis
  • Pediatric Cataract
  • Presbyopia (Old Eyes)
  • Pterygium
  • Retinal Detachment
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity
  • Strabismus (Misaligned Eyes)
  • Tearing
  • Trauma
  • Uveitis (Ocular Inflammation)
  • Wrinkles
  • Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
  • Astigmatism
  • Bags (Fat Prolapse)
  • Blepharitis
  • Blepharoptosis (Droopy Eyelid)
  • Blepharospasm
  • Cataract
  • Computer-Related Eye Fatigue
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Diabetic Retinopathy
  • Double Vision (Diplopia)
  • Dry Eye
  • Floaters and Flashes
  • Glaucoma
  • Graves’ Disease
  • Migraine (Headache)
  • Herpes (Ocular Herpes)
  • Herpes Zoster (Shingles)
  • HIV-Related Eye Problems
  • Hyperopia
  • Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
  • Keratitis (Corneal Infection)
  • Keratoconus
  • Low Vision
  • Macular Hole
  • Macular Degeneration
  • Melanoma
  • Myasthenia Gravis
  • Myopia (Nearsightedness)
  • Nystagmus
  • Optic Neuritis
  • Pediatric Cataract
  • Presbyopia (Old Eyes)
  • Pterygium
  • Retinal Detachment
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity
  • Strabismus (Misaligned Eyes)
  • Tearing
  • Trauma
  • Uveitis (Ocular Inflammation)
  • Wrinkles
  1. Home
  2. Conditions and Treatment
  3. Eye Conditions
  4. Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis Pigmentosa

Share this

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the name given to a group of retinal diseases that are characterized by loss of peripheral (side) vision, and frequently by difficulty seeing in dimly lighted areas (night blindness). Many of the diseases collectively called RP are inherited, and investigation may disclose that other family members were or are affected. In most patients, the effects of RP are confined to the eye and vision. However, RP and deafness (partial or complete) occur together in about 10% of cases. Rarely, RP may be present at birth, but the onset of symptoms may occur at any age.

Since RP refers to a group of retinal diseases (rather than a single disease), it is not possible to predict accurately what may occur in an individual. However, patients generally demonstrate a slow, progressive loss of peripheral vision over many years, until only central (tunnel) vision remains. Most patients retain the central vision for an extended or indefinite period of time. Rarely, patients may slowly lose even this central vision and become totally blind. Some form of cataract develops in about 40% of RP patients.

Signs and Symptoms

Night blindness and loss of peripheral vision

Treatment

No treatment has been demonstrated to retard, arrest, or cure RP; management of some RP diseases may include ultraviolet screening in sunglasses and/or daily doses of anti-oxidant vitamins such as C, E, lutein and beta-carotene (non smokers only); molecular therapies for many forms of retinal dystrophy are on the horizon.

Vision Rehabilitation

Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Subscribe to Our Videos on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Connect with Us on LinkedIn Follow us on Pinterest
UCLA Health hospitals ranked best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report
  • UCLA Health
  • Find a Doctor
  • School of Medicine
  • School of Nursing
  • UCLA Campus
  • Directory
  • Newsroom
  • Subscribe
  • Patient Stories
  • Giving
  • Careers
  • Volunteer
  • International Services
  • Privacy Practices
  • Nondiscrimination
  • Billing
  • Health Plans
  • Emergency
  • Report Broken Links
  • Terms of Use
  • 1-310-825-2631
  • Maps & Directions
  • Contact Us
  • Your Feedback
  • Report Misconduct
  • Get Social
  • Sitemap
Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Subscribe to Our Videos on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Connect with Us on LinkedIn Follow us on Pinterest

Sign in to myUCLAhealth

Learn more about myUCLAhealth