retinitis pigmentosa

noun

retinitis pig·​men·​to·​sa -ˌpig-mən-ˈtō-sə 

-(ˌ)men-,

-zə

: any of several hereditary progressive degenerative diseases of the eye marked by night blindness in the early stages, atrophy and pigment changes in the retina, constriction of the visual field, and eventual blindness

Examples of retinitis pigmentosa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In early 2015, Armentrout was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of rare genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and death of cells in the retina, eventually resulting in loss of vision, among other complications. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 16 Dec. 2024

Both are legally blind due to a rare disease called retinitis pigmentosa (RP) that causes loss of vision over time — Castle was diagnosed at 16, Kadish at 21. —Jenelle Riley, Variety, 16 Dec. 2024

Édith and Sébastien organized the trip after learning that three of their kids – Mia, Colin, and Laurent – would eventually go blind because of the incurable eye condition retinitis pigmentosa. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 18 Nov. 2024

Three of their four children were diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, an incurable degenerative disease that eventually results in near-total loss of vision. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, pigmented retinitis

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

retinitis pigmentosa

noun

retinitis pig·​men·​to·​sa -ˌpig-mən-ˈtō-sə, -(ˌ)men-, -zə 

: any of several hereditary progressive degenerative diseases of the eye marked by night blindness in the early stages, atrophy and pigment changes in the retina, constriction of the visual field, and eventual blindness

—abbreviation RP

called also pigmentary retinopathy