Once Deemed Incurable: Retinitis Pigmentosa Treatment Enters a New Era of Hope

By Wu Yinggang and Intern Zhang Zhongen

“Although the eyes of patients with retinitis pigmentosa are visibly open, their vision is blurred even in familiar environments where they have lived for years; they must rely on tactile exploration to move around, and stumbling is a common occurrence.” Recently, At the Ophthalmic Rehabilitation Academic Forum and Symposium on Innovative Advances in the Treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa, Yang Chunhua, Director of the Department of Ophthalmology at Peking University Medical Rehabilitation Hospital, stated in an interview with the media.

According to reports, retinitis pigmentosa (Retinitis Pigmentosa, hereinafter referred to asRP) is a chronic, progressive hereditary retinal disease, typically caused by a series of gene mutations or deletions that lead to the gradual degeneration of retinal photoreceptor cells.

Retinitis pigmentosa has long been regarded as a“Incurable Disease”one of which is associated with over a hundred different genetic mutations, characterized by high heterogeneity and irreversible vision loss.

Despite variations in the age of onset, most patients with retinitis pigmentosa40By around this age, the condition has progressed to the level of legal blindness. In the early stages of disease progression, rod cells degenerate, followed by the gradual loss of cone cells, until photoreceptor cells undergo nearly complete apoptosis. This results in irreversible impairment of visual function, ultimately leading to blindness.

Data show that the global incidence of this disease is approximately1/3000–1/8000, in China, on average per3784one in every [number] patients; currently, in ChinaRPTotal number of patients: approximately14010,000 people.

“Retinitis pigmentosa, as a representative of inherited blinding eye diseases, has long been a therapeutic challenge in ophthalmology and a major global challenge for visual health. In recent years, with advancements in cutting-edge fields such as gene therapy, stem cell technology, and artificial vision,”“A New Dawn for the Treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa.” Yu Feng, President of Peking University Medical Rehabilitation Hospital, stated at the forum.

For instance, Professor Yang Chunhua has profound expertise in the field of ophthalmic surgery, with extensive experience particularly in the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa. She has "Extraocular Muscle Implantation" Based on medical theory, we have developed an improved treatment method for primary retinitis pigmentosa. This approach enhances choroidal blood supply by increasing the number of vascular implants, thereby rescuing malnourished photoreceptor cells and achieving disease control and improvement.

Professor Yang Chunhua has 1982 Deeply Cultivating This Field Since the End of the Year 40 Over the years, a total of relevant surgical cases have been completed to date4000The remaining cases, several of whom underwent surgical treatment5To20Patients with retinitis pigmentosa from all over the country made special trips to show their support for Yang Chunhua.

Meanwhile, gene therapy is also advancing rapidly.2024Year9month, a domestically developed product by Chinese companies for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy drug received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Orphan Drug Designation (ODD）。

Although diagnosis and treatment continue to advance, early screening and early intervention forPRremains critical for patients.

Professor Yang Chunhua emphasized that individuals with a family history should place greater importance on regular examinations to facilitate early detection and treatment of eye diseases. Ophthalmic examinations, including fundus photography, visual field testing, and visual electrophysiology, can effectively assess whether retinal function and structure are abnormal and whether there is progressive damage.

“ForRPFor daily management, patients should primarily adopt comprehensive preventive measures, such as avoiding light exposure and minimizing time spent under intense ultraviolet radiation and irritating light sources. When outdoors, they may use tinted glasses or other protective eyewear. Additionally, they should moderately increase their intake of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins, such as red-fleshed sweet potatoes, carrots, watermelons, and melons.A。” Yang Chunhua suggests.