Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a group of genetic disorders that affect the retina, which is the layer of tissue at the back of the eye that senses light and sends visual signals to the brain. The hallmark of RP is the progressive degeneration of the retina, which leads to vision loss over time.

However, RP is not the only condition that can cause retinal degeneration. Other conditions that can present similarly to RP include Acute Zonal Occult Outer Retinopathy (AZOOR), syphilis, congenital rubella, phenothiazine toxicity, trauma, and syndromic retinitis pigmentosa such as Refsum, abetalipoproteinemia, Usher, Bardet-Biedl, and Kearns-Sayre.

AZOOR is a rare autoimmune condition that affects the outermost layer of the retina. It typically presents as sudden, painless vision loss in one eye and can progress to affect both eyes. The exact cause of AZOOR is unknown, but it is believed to be an immune-mediated response to retinal antigens.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. In its early stages, syphilis can present with a variety of symptoms, including vision changes. Syphilis-related retinitis can cause blurry vision, blind spots, and loss of peripheral vision. It is important to note that syphilis can also affect other organs and tissues, and a thorough evaluation for other signs of infection should be performed.

Congenital rubella is a viral infection that can cause developmental abnormalities in infants if the mother is infected during pregnancy. One of the potential manifestations of congenital rubella is retinitis, which can lead to vision loss.

Phenothiazine toxicity is a medication side effect that can affect the retina. Phenothiazines are a class of medications commonly used to treat psychiatric disorders. Prolonged use of phenothiazines can cause pigmentary changes in the retina and can lead to vision loss.

Trauma to the eye can cause retinal damage, which can present similarly to RP. A thorough history of the injury and a complete eye examination can help distinguish traumatic retinal damage from genetic conditions.

Finally, syndromic retinitis pigmentosa refers to RP that is associated with other systemic conditions. Refsum disease, abetalipoproteinemia, Usher syndrome, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, and Kearns-Sayre syndrome are all examples of conditions that can present with RP and other symptoms affecting various organs.