Can retinitis pigmentosa be treated

"Currently, no treatment is available to cure RP or arrest its progress. It is the result of incorrect instructions being passed to the body’s chemistry by faulty inherited genes.

However, co-ordinated research, in many centres around the world, has been expanding for around 20 years. Many of the genes responsible for the numerous types of RP have been located and their defects identified. Scientists are following many lines of research, among which is the development of a safe system for introducing corrective genetic material to the appropriate cells of an eye. There is some evidence that this will take hold and assist cell regrowth.

There have also been some very positive developments in stem cell and retinal cell transplantation. However, research in these areas is still in the very early stages. It could take a number of years before these new developments might become available as treatments."