ACBVI | Vision Simulation Presentation

Retinitis Pigmentosa

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Picture is black around edges with central vision only

One such eye disease which affects our peripheral visual fields is retinitis pigmentosa. This is a hereditary, degenerative eye condition which usually will have an onset in the teenage years or early twenties. It is a slow constricting of the peripheral visual fields, almost the direct opposite of the effects of macular degeneration. The restrictions in visual field may be initially slow in progression, and first symptoms are usually complaints of night blindness. As the field loss continues to progress, the individual will experience greater difficulties in travel and mobility concerns. The central vision may still be good enough to read, even want ad sized print for a long period of time, but they will need a cane to travel independently due to these restrictions in visual field.