Abstract

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a retinal degeneration which can be produced by a large number of different genetic mutations. In the early stages rod photoreceptor function is more severely impaired than cone photoreceptor function, and the rate of degeneration is faster for rods than for cones. Although the end stage can be complete loss of light perception, visual acuity often remains relatively unaffected despite severe loss of peripheral visual function.

© 1995 Optical Society of America