Some diseases of the cornea are benefited by medical treatment, while other diseases require corneal transplantation, a surgical procedure in which the cornea from a normal eye is used to replace the damaged cornea. In most cases, a corneal transplantation greatly improves vision. Retinitis Pigmentosa Retinitis pigmentosa is an hereditary condition in which various elements of your retina degenerate. Symptoms of retinitis pigmentosa usually begin in childhood with difficulty seeing in dim illumination such as in a dark room or at night. The disease affects peripheral vision first.
Some persons retain useful central vision for many years, and sometimes through their entire lives.
Fortunately, the course of retinitis pigmentosa usually is very slow, and not all patients with this disease become blind. At present there is no curative treatment, but some patients may be helped by mechanical and electronic aids. Sometimes the retina pulls loose or is torn from the back of the eye. Eye injuries, extreme nearsightedness, or a family history of detachments all increase a person's risk of retinal detachment. Symptoms are the sudden onset of floating spots in the field of vision, light flashes, shadows, and decreased peripheral or central vision.