Social ophthalmologic aspects of retinitis pigmentosa

Inherited retinal degenerations cause severe visual handicaps or blindness later in life. In typical rod cone dystrophy (retinitis pigmentosa) there is relevant visual loss in the third decade with implications for the patients' professional life, their mobility and their private life. For this reason, the disease is relevant for the individual patient as well as for society in general. We investigated social issues in 233 retinitis pigmentosa patients: 9.9% are not able to read any more; 40.9% have never had a driver's license and 27.8% quit driving because of a visual handicap. The mean reduction in the capacity for work is 86%; 12.7% are unable to work and therefore receive public financial support; 22.6% are unable to work in their profession; 20.9% are receiving public support because of legal blindness. Against this background it seems to be important that ophthalmologists inform their patients thoroughly about the implications of the disease for their professional and private lives. Doing this, he/she should ask for support from social service professionals.