1. Retinitis Pigmentosa Paulette Frank, Amy Hayes, Monica Johnson, and Michelle Parker

2. What is Retinitis Pigmentosa? Answer Retinitis Pigmentosa is an eye disease in which there is damage to the photoreceptor cells in the retina. These cells capture and process light helping us to see. Once the cells degenerate and die, vision loss is experienced. The damage progressively gets worse over time.

3. Symptoms Decreased vision at night or in reduced light Dark Pigmented spots on the retina Loss of peripheral vision Loss of central vision that can not be corrected with glasses or contact lenses Sensation of tunnel vision, as though looking through a straw Can lead to blindness, although this is not very common

4. Normal Vision Vision of individual with Retinitis Pigmentosa

5. Causes Retinitis Pigmentosa most commonly is inherited. This eye disorder can be caused by a number of genetic defects. Retinitis Pigmentosa affects about 1 in 4,000 people in the United States.

6. Treatment Unfortunately, there is no treatment for Retinitis Pigmentosa. Individuals that have this eye disease are encouraged to wear sunglasses in order to protect the retina from ultraviolet light. This may help slow down the loss of vision. Vitamin A may also help delay vision loss. Individuals that suffer from Retinitis Pigmentosa are encouraged to participate in occupational therapy. Future treatment may include : retinal transplants, gene therapy, stem cells, nutritional supplements, and/or drug therapy.

7. The future may include the use of the artificial retina.

8. Resources www.allaboutvision.com www.blindness.org/content.asp?id=45&print=1 www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/print/ency/article/001029.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Human_eyesight_two_children_and_bal l_normal_vision.jpg