Management of retinitis pigmentosa

    Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a progressive inherited retinal disease, characterized by reduction of visual function which caused by a degeneration of the photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). OCT studies confirmed that the presence of and continuity of the IS/OS line is associated with visual function preservation in RP patients, and can be also used for prediction of postoperative visual acuity in RP patients after cataract surgery. Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) results from the accumulation of lipofuscin in the RPE cells and has been used to investigate RPE and retinal function. It is known that an abnormally high density parafoveal FAF ring (AF ring) as representation of the border between functional and dysfunctional retina can be observed in majority of RP patients. In our study by combining new methods, morphological and functional assessments of the photoreceptors in the macula area the diagnostics can be more precise in RP patients. In our report the recent results of Phase 3 for unoprostone eye drops will be presented, which was shown to improve or maintain the central retinal sensitivity in RP patients.

    Key words: retinitis pigmentosa, unoproston, neuroptotection.