Clinician scientists from Taiwan, in a large observational study of over 380 patients over a 15-year period, have observed increased risk of acute angle closure in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). In addition, they also noticed that angle closure attack occurred earlier in life, with the risk higher in males, in patients with RP, compared to the general population where such an attack is more commonly seen in elderly females.
The association between RP and glaucoma was first proposed in 1862. Since then, it has been considered a difficult diagnosis to make in patients with RP due to coexistent changes such as retinal nerve fiber layer defect and visual field defect in RP, which are also seen in patients with glaucoma.
As is known, RP is a major cause of blindness in adults. Intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation may aggravate the visual impairment in RP patients with preexisting retinal and optic nerve dysfunction. Acute angle closure, the major risk factor for blindness among angle closure eyes, may cause particularly devastating damage to RP patients. Angle closure related IOP elevation is preventable by timely intervention to widen the drainage angle in susceptible eyes.
Advice: If you are a patient with RP, It is a good idea to get a check done by your retina specialist if you ever feel your vision has reduced suddenly from the previous state, or you have significant pain in or around the eye/s.
The association between RP and glaucoma was first proposed in 1862. Since then, it has been considered a difficult diagnosis to make in patients with RP due to coexistent changes such as retinal nerve fiber layer defect and visual field defect in RP, which are also seen in patients with glaucoma.
As is known, RP is a major cause of blindness in adults. Intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation may aggravate the visual impairment in RP patients with preexisting retinal and optic nerve dysfunction. Acute angle closure, the major risk factor for blindness among angle closure eyes, may cause particularly devastating damage to RP patients. Angle closure related IOP elevation is preventable by timely intervention to widen the drainage angle in susceptible eyes.
Advice: If you are a patient with RP, It is a good idea to get a check done by your retina specialist if you ever feel your vision has reduced suddenly from the previous state, or you have significant pain in or around the eye/s.
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