A group of eye diseases in which the light sensing tissue at the back of the eye, called the retina, is damaged.

Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of degenerative eye diseases that people are born with. It can cause serious vision loss.

Symptom onset varies depending on the specific type of retinitis pigmentosa a person has. Vision changes commonly start in childhood or adolescence. Symptoms include decreased vision at night or in low light and loss of side, called peripheral, vision. Central vision also can be decreased.

There is no effective treatment for retinitis pigmentosa. Working with a low vision specialist may help optimize visual function. Your eye specialist also may make more-specific recommendations.