Watch the Signs: Retinitis Pigmentosa

Watch the Signs: Retinitis Pigmentosa

Brook & Braddock Opticians, 2917 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON 416-233-2611

According to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, one in every 3,500 Canadians will suffer from retinitis pigmentosa (RP). With no cure at the moment, its important to be educated in the facts and symptoms of this inherited disease.

Retinitis pigmentosa is a genetic disease where the retina slowly erodes throughout a persons life. An illness that can eventually progress to blindness, RP can usually be diagnosed during the teenage years. It can be hard to recognize symptoms but most patients in the early stages of RP have difficulty seeing in the dark and adapting to dim lighting, as well as suffer from a loss of peripheral vision.

The retina, which is the layer of tissue lining the inner eye, converts light into images and is responsible for peripheral vision and central vision. When the retinal rod or cone cells are damaged, vision begins to fade. The higher concentration edges of the retina, which allow you to see above, below and to the sides, eventually becomes inoperable in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

RP is an innate condition and can be spotted by a genetic counsellor who can assess your family history and determine patterns in order to predict how your condition will progress as well as other risks of vision loss.

Brook and Braddock optician Sam Thomas, a low vision specialist for over 20 years and an affiliate with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, talks about advancements for those suffering from retinitis pigmentosa. There are options for patients with limited vision. Specialty high contrast lenses are available to optimize contrast and increase vision for people affected with retinitis pigmentosa

The Low Vision Centre carries both magnifiers and telescopic units, some available with illumination, to help enlarge objects so the image is recognizable. Products that are handheld or hands free can make tasks such as watching television, reading or seeing better in dim light possible.

For more information on these products, visit the Brook and Braddock store at 2917 Bloor Street West in Toronto or call 416-233-2611 to speak to one of their knowledgeable opticians.

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Watch the Signs: Retinitis Pigmentosa