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Maggie-Della Mysteries
What is RP (Retinitis Pigmentosa?)
There are a number of blind people in the Maggie-Della mysteries. Della, for example,
and a colleague of hers, Dan Sexton, have a genetic eye disease called Retinitis
Pigmentosa (RP). RP attacks and destroys the cells of the retina, the part of the eye
responsible for processing light and color. The disease is usually characterized by a
gradual loss of peripheral vision, night and color blindness and what is generally
referred to as "tunnel vision," as the remaining field of vision becomes smaller and
smaller.
"Don't assume that means you have a circle of black around your vision, though," Della
explains. "That part of your vision is simply not there. Can you see behind you? That's
how it might seem to a sighted person."
RP can be different every day. It's also a different experience for different people. In
many cases, some eyesight iremains. In other, more rare, cases all vision is lost. This is
the type of RP Dan Sexton has. At some point Della will also go totally blind, even
though her type of RP is different than Dan's.
There is no cure for RP, although stem cell research holds the greatest promise. Della
has participated in a number of research studies over the years and is on the waiting
list as a stem cell research subject.
Visit the Foundation Fighting Blindness for more information about Retinitis Pigmentosa
and other degenerative eye conditions.
There are a number of blind people in the Maggie-Della mysteries. Della, for example,
and a colleague of hers, Dan Sexton, have a genetic eye disease called Retinitis
Pigmentosa (RP). RP attacks and destroys the cells of the retina, the part of the eye
responsible for processing light and color. The disease is usually characterized by a
gradual loss of peripheral vision, night and color blindness and what is generally
referred to as "tunnel vision," as the remaining field of vision becomes smaller and
smaller.
"Don't assume that means you have a circle of black around your vision, though," Della
explains. "That part of your vision is simply not there. Can you see behind you? That's
how it might seem to a sighted person."
RP can be different every day. It's also a different experience for different people. In
many cases, some eyesight iremains. In other, more rare, cases all vision is lost. This is
the type of RP Dan Sexton has. At some point Della will also go totally blind, even
though her type of RP is different than Dan's.
There is no cure for RP, although stem cell research holds the greatest promise. Della
has participated in a number of research studies over the years and is on the waiting
list as a stem cell research subject.
Visit the Foundation Fighting Blindness for more information about Retinitis Pigmentosa
and other degenerative eye conditions.
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