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AMD
| Cataract | Diabetic
Retinophaty | Glaucoma | Retinitis
Pigmentosa
The symptoms of this group of disorders usually become apparent between
the ages of 10 and 30, although some changes may become apparent in childhood.
In one type of RP, Leber's Amaurosis, children may become blind or almost
so, within the first six months of life. By contrast, some types of RP
may only show symptoms late in life. In the more common types of RP, a
person will have a history of visual problems at dusk or in poor light,
so-called night blindness and a gradual reduction in the field of vision,
loss of the outer edges, resulting in a tendency to trip over things.
In some cases RP is first diagnosed following a road accident.
The first reaction amongst many people is to go for an eye test believing
that they need glasses. Although glasses do a marvellous job correcting
problems with the eye's lens, they cannot help a deteriorating Retina.
As the outer fringes of the field of vision gradually disappear, the RP
sufferer is left with the condition commonly referred to as tunnel vision.
Many people retain this tunnel of useful vision until quite late in life.
The speed of loss of vision varies considerably from person to person,
due to the many forms of RP.
In one category of RP, the loss of vision begins in the central area.
This is referred to as macular dystrophy (because the central macular
area is affected). It causes an inability to read or carry out other work
involving detail, although the person may have few mobility problems for
several years.
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