Best Retinitis Pigmentosa Doctors in Chennai

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a collection of genetic disorders that lead to the progressive degeneration of the retina, the light-sensitive matrix at the back of the eye. This degeneration is primarily due to mutations in over 100 different genes affecting the retina's photoreceptor cells, primarily rods and cones. These mutations result in a gradual loss of vision, starting with impairment in low light conditions or night blindness, progressing to a loss of peripheral vision and ultimately affecting central vision. Inherited through different patterns – autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant, or X-linked – this disorder affects approximately 1 in 3,500 to 1 in 4,000 people globally.

In Chennai, India's hub of healthcare excellence, the occurrence of RP mirrors global statistics. Genetics play a vital role in determining one's susceptibility to RP. Apollo Hospitals in Chennai houses some of the best doctors for retinitis pigmentosa treatment and retinitis pigmentosa specialists and offers an array of services from diagnosis to management of this disease.

Types/Stages of Retinitis Pigmentosa

RP manifests through different forms based on inheritance patterns and specific genetic mutations. Some of these forms include:

• Typical Retinitis Pigmentosa: Characterised by night blindness and eventual loss of peripheral vision, this is the most common form.

• Usher Syndrome: This form of RP is accompanied by hearing loss and sometimes balance problems.

• Leber's Congenital Amaurosis: This severe form leads to serious visual impairment or blindness from birth or early infancy.

• Other Syndromic Forms: RP is sometimes associated with systemic or neurologic abnormalities such as Bardet-Biedl syndrome or Senior-Loken syndrome.

• Other Non-syndromic Forms: These forms of RP are associated with specific genetic mutations and inheritance patterns.

Symptoms of Retinitis Pigmentosa

People afflicted with RP may experience the following symptoms:

• Night blindness:

• Peripheral vision loss

• Difficulty adjusting to light changes

• Colour vision problems

• Central vision loss

Tests to Diagnose Retinitis Pigmentosa

The doctors for retinitis pigmentosa at Apollo Hospitals Chennai use several common tests to diagnose RP. These include:

• Electroretinogram: A test providing an objective measure of rod and cone function across the retina.

• Genetic Testing: Identifies the specific genetic mutation causing the retinal degeneration.

• Visual Field Testing: Maps progressive loss of peripheral vision.

• Ophthalmoscope Exam: Doctors examine the retina for characteristic signs like retinal pigment changes.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Retinitis Pigmentosa at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

The best doctors for retinitis pigmentosa treatment at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai offer a range of treatment and surgery options:

• Gene Therapy: Luxturna is an FDA-approved gene therapy for patients with two copies of the RPE65 mutation. It delivers a healthy copy of RPE65 to the retina.

• Medications: High-dose vitamin A palmitate slows RP progression. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors help treat cystoid macular oedema, a complication of RP.

• Assistive Devices: Retinal implants like Argus II can provide partial sight restoration. Low vision aids and rehabilitation services help patients make the most of their remaining vision.