Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP): Mechanisms and Restoration Strategies

Vision Can Be Modeled as a Multi-Layer Signal Processing Pipeline

All therapies understood as interventions at different pipeline layers: Light - Photoreceptors - Retinal Circuit - Optic...

Secondary Interventions Can Improve Functional Vision in RP Patients

Cataract surgery and low-vision aids improve usable vision. Quality-of-life improvement. Not disease-modifying.

Alternative Therapies Are Used but Lack Strong Clinical Evidence

Acupuncture reported to improve symptoms. Robust scientific validation limited.

Pharmacological Interventions May Slow Photoreceptor Degeneration

Antioxidants and Vitamin A derivatives may slow degeneration. Supportive, not curative.

Direct Cortical Stimulation May Restore Vision Without Functional Eyes

BCI efforts aim to stimulate visual cortex directly. Potential for complete bypass. Highly experimental.

Optogenetics Enables Non-Photoreceptor Cells to Respond to Light

Light-sensitive proteins introduced into retinal ganglion cells. Works even when photoreceptors are gone. Clinical proof...

Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Cells Can Replace Lost Photoreceptors

iPSC can be differentiated into retinal cells and transplanted. Does not depend on mutation type. Integration challenge.

CRISPR-Based Editing Can Modify Disease-Causing Mutations in Retina

Gene editing technologies such as CRISPR can directly modify mutations in retinal cells. Precision but still early-stage...

Gene Therapy Can Restore Function in Mutation-Specific RP Cases

Gene therapy using viral vectors (e.g., AAV) can introduce functional copies of defective genes into retinal cells. Work...

Electrical Stimulation of Retina Can Produce Artificial Vision

Epiretinal implants convert camera input into electrical signals. Bypasses biological photoreceptors. Limited resolution...