Download Rod-Cone Dystrophy

Rod-Cone Dystrophy
What is it?
Rod-Cone Dystrophy is an inherited
condition that is irreversible and
progressive. This disease causes damage
to the photoreceptor cells (the rods and
cones of the eye) and will generally
result in blindness. The rods and cones
are located in the retina at the back of
the eye and gather information from the
light that passes through the pupil. They
convert light into nerve signals that are
then transmitted through the optic nerve
to the brain. Cones help you see color
and detail, while the rods help with
seeing movement and peripheral vision.
What are the symptoms?
The first symptoms will be loss of color
vision and night blindness. Night vision
loss generally occurs after the age of 20.
Decreased visual acuity or sharpness
will also be present early on, and then
loss of peripheral vision will follow.
Physical symptoms noticed by others
Fast back and forth movements of the
eyes and eyes that may wander about not
really focusing on anything in particular.
Children may also try to touch or poke
their eyes. This behavior will need to be
prevented whenever possible.
How is it treated?
As of yet, there are no treatments,
however, there are several
accommodations that can be made to
help with the vision you currently have.
For instance, glasses may be helpful.
Use sunglasses and a hat when out in the
bright sun to ease your eyes transition
when you go somewhere darker.
Magnify what you can see. There are
several assistive technology instruments
available for this purpose.
Prognosis
The central portion of the visual field is
lost before the age of 10 as well as
narrowing of the peripheral field of
vision. At age 20 most individuals will
experience night blindness. The disease
progresses and by the age of 50 there is
little visual function. Some patients may
have some light perception, but it is very
limited.
Homeopathic Treatment
According to www.naturaleyecare.com
there are several over the counter
supplements that provide support to the
eye and specifically to the retina. For
individuals who want to prolong the
vision they have it may be worth a try to
test some vitamins and supplements as
there are no other treatments for this
disease. Please consult your physician
before taking any supplements. Eye
exercises may also benefit the individual
by encouraging blood flow into the eye.
Tests
This disease closely resembles Retinitis
Pigmentosa and must be clearly
distinguished from this condition. One
major difference in Rod-Cone Dystrophy
is that the rods and cones are lost at the
same time.
Photo of retina affected by Rod-Cone Dystrophy
Citations:
California School for the Blind. Rod-Cone Dystrophy.
Retrieved on July 2, 2010 from http://www.csbcde.ca.gov/Documents/Causes%20of%20Visual%
20Impairment/causes_rod-cone_dystrophy.htm
Fallon, F. (2002). Rod-Cone Dystrophy. Retrieved on July 2,
2010 from Health Line website:
http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/cone-roddystrophy#b
Foundation Fighting Blindness. Cone-Rod Dystrophy.
Retrieved on July 2, 2010 from
http://www.blindness.org/index.php?view=article
&catid=38%3Aother-retinaldiseases&id=257%3Acone-roddystrophy&option=com_content&Itemid=88
Journal of Medical Genetics. An Autosomal Recessive ConeRrod Dystrophy Associated with Amelogenesis
Imperfecta. Retrieved on July 2, 2010 from
Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and
Research website:
http://www.gfmer.ch/genetic_diseases_v2/gendis_
detail_list.php?cat3=939
Natural Eye Care. Rod-Cone Dystrophy. Retrieved on July 2,
2010, from
http://www.naturaleyecare.com/diseases.asp?d_nu
m=35
Roberts, D. (August, 2008). Cone-Rod Dystrophy. Retrieved
July 2, 2010, from Macular Degeneration Support
website:
http://www.mdsupport.org/library/conerod.html