Evoked Retinal Response

Overview

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the name given to a group of inherited eye diseases that affect the retina (the light-sensitive part of the eye). RP causes the breakdown of photoreceptor cells (cells in the retina that detect light). Photoreceptor cells capture and process light helping us to see. As these cells breakdown and die, people experience progressive vision loss. There is no known cure for retinitis pigmentosa. The investigators have observed that short pulses of focused ultrasound can cause perception of light when directed to spots on the retinal surface. The investigators propose to conduct a study to determine if pulsed ultrasound will stimulate the perception of light in the absence of functional photoreceptors in people with RP

Patients affected by retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and related diseases suffer loss of vision due to death of photoreceptor cells. The investigators have observed that short pulses of focused ultrasound can cause perception of light (phosphenes) when directed to spots on the retinal surface. If this phenomenon is caused by direct stimulation of the retinal nerves, which seems probable, then it might be possible to use this phenomenon to produce a form of vision in such patients. The investigators propose to conduct a study of a small cohort of patients affected by RP to determine if pulsed ultrasound will evoke a perception of light in the absence of functional photoreceptors.

Conditions