What is the initial symptom of retinitis pigmentosa?

What is the initial symptom of retinitis pigmentosa?

• A. Central vision loss
• B. Decreased night vision
• C. Peripheral vision loss
• D. Normal vision

Answer: (B)

Retinitis pigmentosa starts by hitting the rod photoreceptors, which handle vision in dim light and contribute to peripheral vision. When rods start to fail, people notice trouble seeing in the dark (nyctalopia) early on. Since rods are concentrated in the outer, peripheral retina, central vision—driven by cones in the fovea—remains good at first. Over time, the disease progresses and peripheral vision narrows, but night vision problems appear first. That’s why decreased night vision is the initial symptom. Central vision loss doesn’t occur early, and normal vision would ignore the early rod involvement.

Retinitis pigmentosa starts by hitting the rod photoreceptors, which handle vision in dim light and contribute to peripheral vision. When rods start to fail, people notice trouble seeing in the dark (nyctalopia) early on. Since rods are concentrated in the outer, peripheral retina, central vision—driven by cones in the fovea—remains good at first. Over time, the disease progresses and peripheral vision narrows, but night vision problems appear first. That’s why decreased night vision is the initial symptom. Central vision loss doesn’t occur early, and normal vision would ignore the early rod involvement.