Retinal pigmented degeneration
Content:
- Symptoms of retinal pigmentary dystrophy
- Causes of retinal pigmentary dystrophy
- Diagnostics of the retinal pigmentary dystrophy
- Treatment of retinal pigmentary dystrophy
This is a rare ailment that affects one in 5,000 people. Pigmented dystrophy, or retinitis, occurs most often in males. This can happen at any age, including children.
The overwhelming majority of those who have encountered this form of dystrophy before the age of 20, the ability to read remains unchanged, and the degree of visual acuity is more than 0.1. In the age group from 45 to 50 years, the degree of visual acuity is less than 0.1, the ability to read is completely lost. Further about the symptoms, causes and treatment of the disease.
Symptoms of retinal pigmentary dystrophy
The main manifestations of the disease include:
- Hemeralopia, or "night blindness" - is formed due to damage to one of the components of the retina, namely the rods. At the same time, the skill of orientation is practically lost with insufficient illumination. It is hemeralopia that should be considered the primary manifestation of the disease. It can occur five or even 10 years before the first obvious manifestations in the retina;
- Steady deterioration of peripheral vision - begins with a minimal narrowing of the boundaries of peripheral vision. As part of further development, it can lead to its complete loss. This phenomenon is called tubular or tunnel vision, in which only a small “visual” area remains in the center;
- Aggravation of visual acuity and color perception - is noted in the late stages of the disease and is caused by degradation of the cones in the central region of the retina. The systematic development of the disease provokes blindness.
Causes of retinal pigmentary dystrophy
There is only one reason for the appearance of pigmentary dystrophy, in order to understand it, it is necessary to understand the anatomy of the human eye. Thus, the light-sensitive membrane of the eye or retina includes two categories of receptor cells. We are talking about rods and cones, which received such names solely because of their shape. The vast majority of the cones are located in the central region of the retina, which ensures optimal acuity and color perception. The rods are distributed along the retina itself, they control peripheral vision and make it possible to see in low light conditions.
When specific genes that provide nutrition and function of the retina are damaged, a systematic destruction of the outer region of the retina is noted. That is, exactly where the rods and cones are located. Such damage primarily affects the periphery and disappears within 15-20 years. It is this long-term process that is the only reason for the development of pigmentary dystrophy.
Diagnostics of the retinal pigmentary dystrophy
Diagnosis of pigmentary dystrophy at the primary stages of the disease has its own characteristics. First of all, because it is difficult in childhood. Its implementation is possible only in children aged six years or more. The disease is often detected after the appearance of difficulties in orientation at dusk or at night. In this case, the disease has been progressing for a long time.
As part of the examination, the degree of visual acuity and peripheral perception is revealed. The fundus of the eye is examined as closely as possible, because it is there that changes can appear. The most obvious sign of a change that is revealed during the examination of the fundus is bone corpuscles. They represent areas in which progressive destruction of receptor-type cells occurs.
To confirm the diagnosis, you can resort to electrophysiological studies, because they fully reveal the "working" capabilities of the retina. Also, with the help of specialized equipment, the assessment of dark adaptation and the ability to navigate in a darkened room is carried out.
If there are suspicions and, moreover, a diagnosis of retinal pigmentary dystrophy is established, taking into account the genetic component of the disease, it is recommended to examine the person's closest relatives. This will help to identify the disease as early as possible.
Treatment of retinal pigmentary dystrophy
Today the treatment of pigmentary dystrophy is complex. So to stop the progression of the disease, vitamin complexes, drugs that improve eye nutrition and blood supply to the retina should be used. These can be not only injections, but also drops. In addition to these funds, the class of peptide bioregulators is widely used. They are designed to optimize the nutrition and repair capacity of the retina.
Physiotherapeutic methods are also used that improve everything related to the blood supply in the eyeball area. Thus, the pathological process is inhibited. With constant monitoring, it is possible to achieve remission. Sidorenko glasses should be considered an effective device, which is designed for use at home. They combine four methods of exposure at the same time and will be most effective in the early stages of pigmentary dystrophy.
It should be noted the list of fundamentally new experimental directions in the treatment of the presented disease. We are talking about gene therapy, which allows you to restore those genes that have been damaged. Also, surgeons are introducing special mechanical implants into the eye area, which act in a similar way to the retina. They enable people who have lost their eyesight to freely navigate indoors and even outdoors. Also, with these implants, the self-service process becomes much easier.
Thus, pigmentary dystrophy is a serious and progressive vision problem. Its symptoms at the initial stage are difficult to recognize, but one should not forget about the genetic predisposition to the disease. If diagnosed early, pigmentary dystrophy will be much easier to treat.
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The author of the article: Degtyareva Marina Vitalievna, ophthalmologist, ophthalmologist
