In the early years of RP there may be no obvious signs or symptoms. There may be no visible changes in the retina able to be detected by the eye specialist. An eye examination detects changes in the retina. Electroretinography indicates how the retina is functioning. Dark Adaptation measures how the retinal responds in the dark.
Visual fields map the area or field of vision.
Fluorescein Angiography provides a picture of the blood supply to the eye. RP manifests itself in different ways and each person's condition is different. Many people will retain limited vision throughout their lives while some will lose their sight completely. Vision loss may be slow, with only a slight loss perhaps over many years. Others have periods of rapid loss, often with years in between of no apparent decline.