Retinitis pigmentosa type 59 (RP59) is one of several types of retinitis pigmentosa, a group of inherited disorders causing gradual vision loss.
The problem lies in the cells that sense light in the eyes. The first sign is often trouble seeing in the dark, and it can progress to losing side vision, creating “tunnel vision,” and eventually, central vision may also be lost. RP59 only affects the eyes, and there are no other symptoms in the rest of the body. Currently, there’s no cure for retinitis pigmentosa, but using sunglasses that block UV-A and UV-B rays is recommended, and certain optical aids can make eyes more comfortable. Some individuals might slow down the degeneration of the retina with vitamin A palmitate therapy. Counseling and lifestyle adjustments can also help individuals manage the progressive loss of vision.
RP59 is caused by pathogenic (disease-causing) variants in the DHDDS gene and exhibits autosomal recessive inheritance. This means that both parents must be carriers to have a 25% chance to have a child with the condition. The risk of being a carrier is based on a person’s ancestry or ethnic background. For example, individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent have a 1 in 117 chance to be a carrier.
Other names for this condition are pigmentary retinopathy, rod-cone dystrophy, and tapetoretinal degeneration.
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Revised November 2023
