Retinitis Pigmentosa

What is Retinitis Pigmentosa ?

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of genetic disorders that affect the retina’s ability to respond to light. This inherited disease causes a slow loss of vision, beginning with decreased night vision and loss of peripheral (side) vision. Eventually, blindness results. Unfortunately, there is no cure for RP. It’s a degenerative eye disease that causes severe vision impairment due to the progressive degeneration of the rod photoreceptor cells in the retina. This form of retinal dystrophy manifests initial symptoms independent of age thus, RP diagnosis occurs anywhere from early infancy to late adulthood. Patients in the early stages of RP first notice compromised peripheral and dim light vision due to the decline of the rod photoreceptors



What are the causes of Retinitis Pigmentosa ?

Retinitis pigmentosa is often hereditary (runs in families). If you or your partner has retinitis pigmentosa, there may be up to a 50 percent chance that you will pass it along to your children. The rate of progression and degree of visual loss varies from person to person. Most people with RP are legally blind by age 40, with a central visual field of less than 20 degrees in diameter. In some families with a certain genetic RP trait, males are more often and more severely affected; females carry the genetic trait and experience vision loss less frequently


What are the symptoms of Retinitis Pigmentosa ?
Retinitis pigmentosa causes slow loss of vision. Symptoms begin with decreased night vision and later progress to loss of peripheral (side) vision — creating a “tunnel vision” effect. Some people may also have difficulty identifying colors.

Some other symptoms are :-

Night blindness
Tunnel vision (due to loss of peripheral vision)
Latticework vision
Photopsia (blinking/shimmering lights)
Photophobia(Aversion to glare)
Development of bone spicules in the fundus
Slow adjustment from dark to light environments and vice versa
Blurring of vision
Poor color separation
Loss of central vision
Eventual blindness
In some cases, central vision may be affected first, making detail work difficult, such as reading or threading a needle. This may be referred to as macular dystrophy, because the central area of the retina, called the macula, is affected.


What are the Diagnosis method of Retinitis Pigmentosa?
It is confirmed by a combination of Visual field and Visual acuity tests, fundus and optical coherence imagery, and Electroretinography (ERG) confirms the RP diagnosis by evaluating functional aspects associated with photoreceptor degeneration, and can detect physiological abnormalities before the initial manifestation of symptoms. An electrode lens is applied to the eye as photoreceptor response to varying degrees of quick light pulses is measured. The results will show if the cells are responding properly.



How Homoeopathy can help ?
There is no cure for Retinitis Pigmentosa .Homoeopathic medicine help as a prevention as there is progressive damage of cells .it can help in recover the vision as well it depends upon individuals.We have few great remedies which is help in retinitis pigmentosa. Retinitis Pigmentosa requires longer duration treatment and symptomatic as well. Proper symptomatic & consultation from Homeopathic Physician is always required.

Few Homoeopathic Remedies which be helpful are :

Lycopodium :
A very useful remedy, although indicated principally in cases that have become chronic. You may use it in granular lids which are dry and smarting, in retinitis pigmentosa and even in cataract.It will also cure styes, especially occurring near the inner canthus.

Magnesium Phosphoricum:
Eyes. Vision affected, sees colors before the eyes (chromatopsia), sparks, eyes sensitive to light, photophobia, diplopia, pupils contracted, dullness of vision from involvement of the optic nerve or retina. Dark spots float before the eyes. Nystagmus, spasmodic squinting, ptosis or drooping of the eyelids. Twitching of eyelids. Orbital and supraorbital neuralgias, worse on the right side and relieved by warmth applied externally, and exquisitely sensitive to touch. Increased lachrymation with the pain. Itching of lids. "Retinitis Pigmentosa" (R. S.C.). Eyes tire easily; can only read a few lines. Lids heavy as if pressed by weight.

Phosphorus:
Degeneration, or gray atrophy of the optic nerve from overwrought nervous system; objects have a cloudiness about them by candle light, green halo about objects. Retinitis pigmentosa.

Vaccinium Myrtillus
Clinical experience confirms that, when given orally, it improves visual accuracy in healthy people, and can help those with eye diseases such as pigmentosa, retinitis, glaucoma, and myopia. Cataracts and macular degeneration. Poor vision and night blindness



Alternative Therapy :
HEALTRON rTMS Therapy is an treatment option which is helpful in Retinitis Pigmentosa.it repairs the damaged cells and prevents further damage. You need to have exposure for an longer duration.You can visit www.healtron.com & www.recovervision.com for details


Dr.D Sharma