[Therapeutic approaches for retinitis pigmentosa].

BACKGROUND

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of hereditary retinal disorders, which lead to progressive loss of vision and finally blindness. Yet there is no approved therapy. Advances in unravelling underlying genetic disorders and pathophysiological mechanisms offer new therapeutic approaches of which some are summarised in this review.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature research for defined key words in PubMed.

RESULTS

New approaches to therapy for RP include: gene therapy, pharmacological treatment, neuroprotection, electrical stimulation, retinal prostheses, retinal transplantation and optogenetic therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Recently there have been advances in new approaches for therapy of dystrophic retinal diseases. Advances in the different approaches are being made at different rates. Although there is no approved therapy yet, the future for treating RP at least in some patients looks promising.