Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the name given to a diverse group of inherited eye disorders that affect the retina at the back of the eye.
RP causes permanent changes to your vision but how quickly this happens and how it changes differs widely between people. If you have retinitis pigmentosa, sight loss is gradual and progresses over many years. Most people with RP keep some useful vision well into later life, although some people with RP become blind.
This fact sheet on retinitis pigmentosa covers the genetic causes and how it is inherited. It also discusses symptoms, diagnosis and other ocular complications that may arise.
