Visual abnormality needs a second opinion

May 15, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 60-year-old female. My ophthalmologist diagnosed me with an eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

I would like a second opinion. I know this is an incurable disease and I am rapidly going blind. Any information on slowing down the disease as well as diagnosing it would be greatly appreciated. If I am able to obtain a second opinion, what tests should I have to confirm the diagnosis? Should I have genetic testing done?

DEAR READER: You have damage to the retina, an area at the back of the inner portion of the eye that converts images to nerve signals and sends them on to the brain. Generally speaking, the cells that control night vision are likely to be affected; however, in some instances, retinal cone cells are damaged more.
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Daily Column

September 20, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My 31-year-old son has retina pigmentosa. His sight has been decreasing little by little. We know it is an incurable disease. Will you comment if science has made any inroads in this field and if there is a place in the United States or Europe where they are doing any trials? Do you have any suggestions, other than vitamin A, on how to prolong his vision?

DEAR READER:
Retinitis pigmentosa is an eye disease with damage to the retina, a nervous tissue membrane that receives images of outer objects, carrying signals to the brain via the optic nerve. This relatively uncommon condition can be caused by numerous genetic defects and tends to run in families. In fact, the Ocular Molecular Genetics Institute’s seminar at Harvard Medical School has recognized more than 45 genes for this condition. [Read more...]

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