Your 6 year old son has been diagnosed with RP and already has night blindness. What are the next stages and what can be expected in the future?

Answer 1

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) begins with the loss of night vision. As things progress, peripheral vision will deteriorate resulting in tunnel vision. Vision will continue to deteriorate until an affected individual is legally blind. The only question is how fast this will occur. An eye care professional who administers a test called electroretinography (ERG) along with something to assess the dimensions of the visual field will be able to chart the course of the deterioration of vision. Naturally, the professional will have to perform the tests several times with an interval between tests. By mapping the test results, a curve can be constructed that makes some projections as to how fast vision is failing. Rates of progression vary, as one might expect. Look into a vitamin A supplement and spool up (get up to speed) on the particulars of this genetic condition. A posting here demonstrates computer and web access. Use the web. Support groups exist. If not local ones, they can be found on the net. Partner with a good medical professional if you don't have one so regular testing can be conducted and all your questions can be answered by an expert in the field. Best of luck sorting things out now and into the future. Use the link and skim the article posted by our friends at Wikipedia. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom and hit the links there. Quite a few are posted.