ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Retinitis Pigmentosa International

Retinitis pigmentosa is a disease that affects the eyes and can make it hard for people to see. It’s a very complicated disease that scientists and doctors all around the world are trying to understand and find ways to treat.

People with retinitis pigmentosa have problems with the cells in their eyes that help them see. These cells are called rods and cones, and they’re in the back of our eyes. When we look at something, light comes into our eyes and these cells help us see the image. But for people with retinitis pigmentosa, these cells don’t work quite like they’re supposed to.

One of the things that makes retinitis pigmentosa so complicated is that it affects people in different ways. Some people might have more trouble seeing at night, while others might have trouble seeing things that are far away. Some people might have problems with colors looking different, and others might have trouble seeing things that are right in front of them.

Retinitis pigmentosa can also be a genetic disease, which means it can be passed down from parents to their children. This is where “international” comes in. Scientists and doctors from all around the world are working together to learn more about this disease and how it works. They’re also trying to find new treatments to help people who have it.

So, all in all, retinitis pigmentosa is a very complex disease that affects people’s vision, and scientists and doctors from all around the world are working together to learn more about it and find ways to help people who have it.