Managing Retinitis Pigmentosa: A Literature Review of Current Non-Surgical Approaches

Abstract

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a heterogeneous group of inherited retinal diseases characterized by the progressive loss of photoreceptor function, visual impairment, and, ultimately, blindness. While gene therapy has emerged as a promising therapy, it is currently available only for the RPE65 gene mutation, leaving many patients without targeted genetic treatments. Non-surgical interventions may help in managing the progression of RP and improving patients' quality of life. Visual training and rehabilitation, maximizing residual vision, have shown potential in improving mobility and patients' ability to perform daily activities. Visual aids enhance visual function. Moreover, photo-protection demonstrated effectiveness in mitigating light-induced damage and improving visual comfort. Alternative therapies (i.e., electrostimulation, acupuncture, and ozone therapy) are being explored to preserve retinal function and reduce disease progression. Pharmacological interventions supported by nutritional and psychological counseling play a role in slowing retinal degeneration while managing the emotional burden of progressive vision loss. Although for these interventions, further validation is required, their potential benefits make them valuable additions to care for RP patients. The integration of these interventions into a multidisciplinary care approach-including ophthalmologists, orthoptist, dietitians, and psychologists-is essential for providing comprehensive, personalized care to RP patients while awaiting more widespread gene therapy solutions.

Keywords: multidisciplinary approach; non-surgical interventions; retinitis pigmentosa; visual rehabilitation.

Figure 1

Proposed multidisciplinary management framework for retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The integration of various therapeutic and supportive interventions at different phases of disease progression are suggested for managing RP and enhancing patients’ QoL. The color intensity of the gray bars is proportional to the degree to which the corresponding intervention is applied along the course of disease progression.