A STUDY ON RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA AS A CAUSE OF BLINDNESS IN PATIENTS ATTENDING REGIONAL EYE HOSPITAL, KURNOOL FOR BLIND CERTIFICATE

Aim: To study Retinitis Pigmentosa as a cause of blindness in patients attending Regional Eye Hospital, Kurnool for blind certificate.

Methods: A total of 1020 patients of all age groups attending to Regional Eye Hospital, Kurnool for blind certificate during the period August 2020 to August 2022 were included and examined which include visual acuity testing using Snellen chart, refraction, slit lamp biomicroscopy,intra ocular pressure measurement using Goldmann Applanation Tonometer,fundus examinationwith indirect ophthalmoscope, visual field testing using Humphrey field analyser. Fundus picture was taken using Zeiss fundus camera. Patients having retinal pathology were exclusively included in the study and others were excluded.

Results: Out of 1020 patients, 40 patients had Retinitis Pigmentosa with involvement of both eyes. Of these 40 patients, 23 were males and 17 were females indicating that males were more commonly affected than females. 6 patients had 100% disability, 10 patients had 75% disability, 24 patients had 40% disability.

Conclusion: Retinitis Pigmentosa is one among the non-treatable cause of blindness which results due to consanguineous marriages as it is an inherited eye disease.