When viewing this topic in a different language, you may notice some differences in the way the content is structured, but it still reflects the latest evidence-based guidance.

Retinite pigmentosa

Last reviewed: 20 Aug 2025
Last updated: 21 Sep 2023

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • presença de fatores de risco
  • redução da visão periférica
  • cegueira noturna
  • comprometimento da adaptação ao escuro
  • acuidade central reduzida
  • atrofia do epitélio pigmentar da retina
  • pigmentação em espículas ósseas
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • nervo óptico pálido em cera
  • fotopsias
  • erro de refração
  • catarata
  • atenuação vascular retiniana
  • edema macular cistoide
  • células vítreas
  • ofuscamento por luzes fortes
  • visão das cores anormal
  • ceratocone
  • glaucoma
  • drusas da cabeça do nervo óptico
  • retinopatia tipo Coats
  • amaurose congênita de Leber
Full details

Risk factors

  • história familiar
  • presença de uma síndrome associada
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • avaliação da acuidade visual
  • perimetria total
  • eletrorretinograma de campo total
Full details

Tests to consider

  • limiar elevado final de adaptação ao escuro
  • tomografia de coerência óptica (TCO)
  • teste genético
  • imagiologia óptica adaptativa
  • autofluorescência de campo amplo de fundo do olho
Full details

Emerging tests

  • sequenciamento completo do exoma

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

todos os pacientes

Contributors

Authors

Mark E. Pennesi, MD, PhD
Mark E. Pennesi

Professor

Casey Eye Institute

Oregon Health and Sciences University

Portland

OR

Disclosures

MEP serves on the scientific advisory board and executive committee for the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

Paul Yang, MD, PhD
Paul Yang

Associate Professor

Casey Eye Institute

Oregon Health and Sciences University

Portland

OR

Disclosures

PY acted as a consultant for Applied Genetic Technologies Corp in 2019 and was paid for a meeting regarding XLRP gene therapy, for which there was no agreement to disseminate information.

Acknowledgements

Dr Mark E. Pennesi and Dr Paul Yang would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Richard G. Weleber and Dr Peter J. Francis, previous contributors to this topic.

Disclosures

RGW has served as a consultant to Novartis, Pfizer, and Wellstat, is a member of the scientific advisory board for Applied Genetic Technologies Corp, and serves on the scientific advisory board for the Foundation Fighting Blindness (the relationship has been reviewed and managed by Oregon Health & Science University). RGW also reports having received grants and personal fees from the Foundation Fighting Blindness and Applied Genetic Technologies Corp, and other support from Sanofi-Fovea, all outside the submitted work. In addition, RGW has a patent (US patent 8,657,446, Method and apparatus for visual field monitoring, also known as Visual Field Monitoring and Analysis, or VFMA, which has not been issued). PJF declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Scott Fraser, MD, FRCS (Ed), FRCOphth

Consultant Ophthalmologist

Sunderland Eye Infirmary

Sunderland

UK

Disclosures

SF declares that he has no competing interests.

Elias Traboulsi, MD

Professor of Ophthalmology

Director

Center for Genetic Eye Diseases

Cole Eye Institute

Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland

OH

Disclosures

ET declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewer acknowledgements

BMJ Best Practice topics are updated on a rolling basis in line with developments in evidence and guidance. The peer reviewers listed here have reviewed the content at least once during the history of the topic.

Disclosures

Peer reviewer affiliations and disclosures pertain to the time of the review.

References

Our in-house evidence and editorial teams collaborate with international expert contributors and peer reviewers to ensure that we provide access to the most clinically relevant information possible.

Key articles

American Academy of Ophthalmology. Comprehensive adult medical eye evaluation PPP. Nov 2020 [internet publication].Full text

American Academy of Ophthalmology. Guidelines on clinical assessment of patients with inherited retinal degenerations - 2022. Oct 2022 [internet publication].Full text

Robson AG, Frishman LJ, Grigg J, et al. ISCEV Standard for full-field clinical electroretinography (2022 update). Doc Ophthalmol. 2022 Jun;144(3):165-77.Full text  Abstract

American Academy of Ophthalmology. Recommendations for genetic testing of inherited eye diseases. February 2014 [internet publication].Full text

Reference articles

A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.
  • Retinite pigmentosa images
  • Differentials

    • Rubéola congênita
    • Sífilis
    • Deficiência de vitamina A
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • Guidelines on clinical assessment of patients with inherited retinal degenerations
    • Pediatric eye evaluations preferred practice pattern
    More Guidelines
  • padlock-lockedLog in or subscribe to access all of BMJ Best Practice

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer