Retinitis Pigmentosa

Last updated: Nov 05, 2009

	Retinitis Pigmentosa

 

Conditions that suggest Retinitis Pigmentosa:

	Organ Health   Night Blindness   Retinitis pigmentosa results in visual rods being destroyed early in the course of disease, resulting in night blindness. Night blindness in children may be an early indicator of retinitis pigmentosa.

Retinitis Pigmentosa suggests the following may be present:

	Hormones   Hypothyroidism   There is an increased occurrence of thyroid disease (Hashimoto's thyroiditis) in patients with retinitis pigmentosa. [ Am J Ophthalmol, 1996 Dec, 122:6, pp.903-5 Abstract]

Retinitis Pigmentosa can lead to:

	Organ Health   Night Blindness   Retinitis pigmentosa results in visual rods being destroyed early in the course of disease, resulting in night blindness. Night blindness in children may be an early indicator of retinitis pigmentosa.

Recommendations for Retinitis Pigmentosa:

	Nutrient   DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)   Many patients with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) have lower than normal blood levels of the long-chain polyunsaturated omega3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6omega3). Despite individual variation among both patients and controls, the data are consistent with a lower rate of Delta(5)-desaturation, suggesting that decreased biosynthesis of DHA may contribute to lower blood levels of DHA in patients with XLRP. [J Lipid Res. 2001 Sep;42(9): pp.1395-401] Four years of treatment with 400mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) did not compromise plasma antioxidant capacity, platelet aggregation, liver enzyme activity, or plasma lipoprotein lipid content in a well-controlled study of 44 young men with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa. [Arch Ophthalmol 2003;121(9): pp.1269-78] Oxygen / Oxidative Therapies   Ozone / Oxidative Therapy   One patient reports: I had ozone therapy in Atlanta, Georgia, USA for retinitis pigmentosa. The results were impressive and I would love to continue with the therapy. The results were improved vision at night and in dimly lit places, restaurants, theaters and such. Major autohemotherapy was the form used. This was done for 15 consecutive days. When I had to move, my doctor suggested the use of rectal suppositories, but it is not known how well this will work. The effect of major autohemotherapy in retinitis pigmentosa seems to wear off as red blood cells are regenerated over a 3 - 4 month period.

KEY

		Weak or unproven link
		Strong or generally accepted link
		Proven definite or direct link
		May do some good
		Likely to help