The Self-concept of Spanish Young Adults with Retinitis Pigmentosa

Abstract

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a degenerative disease of the retina that causes the severe impairment of visual functioning similar to low vision, leading, in many cases, to blindness (Geruschat & Turano, 2002; Rundquist, 2004). The disease induces the breakdown of the photoreceptors (rods and cones) in the retina. Because these structures are highly specialized, any defect in their function, no matter how slight, can affect vision. Changes in the structure and metabolism of the photoreceptors are the result of alterations in genes, and the failure of any of the many genes that are involved in the functioning of the photoreceptors can lead to changes in vision (Adler, 2002).