RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA

CLINICAL PRESENTATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS

Abstract

Objective: To review clinical presentations and associations in patients suffering from Retinitis Pigmentosa. Design: Descriptive study. Period: January 2005 to December 2009. Setting: KTH Peshawar, DHQ Hospital Karak and Group of Teaching Hospital Bannu. Materials and Methods: A proper performa was made for documentation of patients. After informed consent, history was taken properly. Ocular examination regarding visual status, anterior and posterior segment examination with direct, indirect ophthalmoscope and slit lamp bimicroscopy was done. IOP was checked with applanation tonometer. For systemic examination and associations opinion of physician was asked if needed. Results: Total 83 patients were examined out of which 49(59.03%) were male and 34(40.96%) were female. Regarding age factor 1(1.20%) patients were in age group up to 10 years, 3(3.61%) in age group 11 to 20 years, 12(14.45%) in age group 21 to 30 years, 21(25.30%) in age group 31 to 40 years, 27 (32.53%) in age group 41 to 50 years, 12(14.45%) in age group 51 to 60 years, and 7(8.43%) patients were in age group 61 to 70 years. In 79(95.18%) patients there was family history of R.P while in 4 (4.81%) patients no family history was present. All the patients have involvement of both eyes. 61(73.49%) patients presented with complaints of night blindness, 56(67.46%) patients with defect in visual acuity with range from 6/9 to perception of light, out of which 24 patients had refractive error and 32 patients had no refractive error. 21(25.30%) patients presented with field defect. Fundoscopy revealed, bone spicule pigments configuration in 83(100%) patients, attenuated blood vessels in 23(27.71%) patients and, waxy pallor disc in 12(14.45%) patients. Regarding associations, in systemic association group 82(98.79%) patients had no association while 1(1.20%) patients had bardet biedle syndrome. In ocular association group 24(28.91%) patients had myopia, 14(16.86%) patients had cataract. Primary open angle glaucoma was present in 3(3.61%) patients while 2(2.40%) had cystoid macular oedema. Keratoconus was present in 1(1.20%) patients. Conclusions: Retinitis Pigmentosa is a grave disease with irreversible loss of visual functions. Mostly it is bilateral. Severity increases with age. Familial onset is more.