【Cause・Disease】

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a disease in the retina, which is the light-sensing tissue in the eye. Retinitis pigmentosa is mostly caused by genetic factors. It is estimated that there are 18.7 patients in every 100,000 population in Japan. The main symptoms are decreased night vision (nyctalopia), loss of the mid-peripheral visual field and visual decline.

【Symptoms】

There are 3 characteristic symptoms of retinitis pigmentosa: night blindness, mid-peripheral visual field loss and visual decline.
In retinitis pigmentosa, night blindness often appears first. If the disease develops, the mid-peripheral visual field narrows, it is easy to hit on something and symptoms of sometimes visible, sometimes invisible will also appear. If the condition worsens further, patients will feel that their visual decline.
Retinitis pigmentosa is basically a progressive disease, but its development is very slow. It is said that it will take years or even decades to develop. In addition, there are personal differences in the development speed and the sequence of symptoms. There are patients who find visual decline first and then feel night blindness.

【Treatment】

At present, there is no fundamental treatment for retinitis pigmentosa. Therapeutic research is underway. Patients can take oral dark compliance modifiers, Vitamin A, and circulatory modifiers to slow the development of symptoms, but the efficacy has not been proved.
In terms of the development of treatment, the research on retinal neuroprotection, gene therapy, retinal stem cell transplantation and artificial retinal has full been undertaken all over the world, but it will still take some time.
As a method, to make the best use of the function of the retina, patients make their life easier by using auxiliary tools.
Anti-glare eyeglasses are thought to be effective against dark adaptation disorders felt when suddenly entering dark places from bright places. It can also reduce the glare feeling in bright places.
By using a magnifying reader and a magnifying glass, patients can easily read even if their vision declines.
Patients can choose the auxiliary tools such as anti-glare eyeglasses, magnifying readers, and magnifying glass.
In addition, patients can tell others they are blind by holding a white cane.

【Summary】

For retinitis pigmentosa, it is important to take regular eye examinations by an ophthalmologist, manage the development of symptoms and get necessary support.
Retinitis pigmentosa is an approved disease of the medical expense subsidy system recognized by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare. If there is a certain degree of vision loss and narrow vision, as long as the patient applies, the doctor will record the diagnosis certificate of the patient with intractable disease and the personal table of clinical investigation of retinitis pigmentosa. If the patient submits them to the health center and the patient is considered to meet the standard, it is possible to get medical expenses.
In addition, according to the visual acuity and the degree of the narrow vision, the patient can also be identified as a disabled person. Please ask the details with the doctor.