Retinitis Pigmentosa Part II

Medical Topic of the Day:  Continuing from yesterday this is the continuation of my research on Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Off The Top of My Head: As we discussed yesterday it is a rare inherited disorder that encompasses multiple kinds of retinal dystrophy and retinal pigment epithelium dystrophies.  We are discussing the RPE dystrophies specifically.

My Research Today:  Retinitis pigmentosa is caused by a genetic mutation involving multiple genes, at least 32.  The type that effects the genes of the RPE layer in your eye is exceedingly rare.  In any case the disorder leads to gradual vision loss and eventual blindness through a commonality of photoreceptor death through apoptosis.

Something, something, complicated as shit.

Apoptosis is also called "programmed cell death."  Normally apoptosis is designed to remove unwanted or excess cells but in this case the genetic mutations as described above kills cells that are necessary for your vision.

Retinitis pigmentosa gradually degrades your peripheral vision.  Early onset symptoms include nyctalopia which is poor night vision.  As the rods in your retina begin to deteriorate only a small part of your central vision will remain.  Eventually you will lose all of your vision.

So you can't drive at night.  Just like Betty White.

There is no treatment for the condition itself as DNA re-sequencing is impossible in a live human currently.  There is a however a very interesting new cybernetic implant available if you qualify for an experimental FDA clinical trial.  I'm not kidding.

The Argus II Prosthesis System is an implantable sensor in your eyeball that is connected to a video camera on a pair of glasses your wear.  The video signal stimulates remaining viable retinal cells in your eye transmitting visual data to your brain.  The Retina Implant AG is another type of implant that places a microchip in your eye to absorb available light for a result similar to the Argus.  The good news about the AG model is that they can also implant a battery under your skin to power it!

Only one tack in the back of your eyeball!

Well, that is all for this topic.  I think I covered it as well as a caveman could.  If you have any questions drop me a line and I will be glad to try to answer them.

Quest To 180:
Does laundry count?  Cause it should again.  10K steps today, 28 floors.

The MAN:
Nobody wants to hang?  *Sad face*  Really?