Retinitis Pigmentosa is a genetic disease that causes blindness in people with it. I chose retinitis pigmentosa because my grandmother has this genetic disease. The disorder is very costly for those who suffer from it. The disorder robbed my grandmother of the life she wanted. He is no longer able to do the things he once did. She is legally blind, cannot drive and has difficulty navigating crowded areas. Retinitis pigmentosa was discovered by Dr Donders in 1857. Retinitis pigmentosa is a very serious disease in terms of how it manifests itself, its signs and symptoms, its prevalence and how it is treated. Retinitis pigmentosa is caused by damage to the retina of the eye. The retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. The retina focuses images in the brain and then sends them via electrical signals to the brain. The retina is a very important part of the eye in helping a person see. What is affected by this disorder in the retina are the rods of the eye. The rods allow a person to see in the dark. Retinitis pigmentosa causes the rods in the eye to slowly deteriorate over time. Retinitis pigmentosa can also cause deterioration of the cones of the eyes. If a person's cones deteriorate first, the person first develops blindness in the center of the eye and loses some color vision. This form of retinitis pigmentosa is much rarer than the form that deteriorates the rods of the eyes. Retinitis pigmentosa can be caused in a person in numerous ways. It usually runs in families, however it can also be caused by a mutation. We believe my grandmother developed the disease due to a genetic mutation, as no one else in my family has ever had the disease or developed it at the time... middle of paper... in full health. Wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes also slows the effects, as sunglasses put a strain on the retina. Quitting smoking at any time in life can help preserve retinal health. Smoking has been linked to retinal damage. The prognosis for people with retinitis pigmentosa is that they will live as long as a normal person. Premature death is not linked to retinitis pigmentosa. The only problems the person will have are vision problems. Each person has a different experience with retinitis pigmentosa. No two cases are the same. The genetic disease retinitis pigmentosa is very serious. It is very complex, as it has several ways of being inherited. The symptoms are severe and leave victims with lifelong disabilities. It is very prevalent in society and there is no treatment. Future research into this debilitating disorder will offer hope to those affected.