Commonly abbreviated as ‘RP’, ‘Retinitis Pigmentosa’ is an eye disease resulting from genetic variations that are passed on through inheritance. It leads to progressive vision loss, caused by the gradual degeneration of light-sensing rod and cone cells of retina at the back of the eye.
An estimated 100,000 people in the U.S. have RP, mainly caused by gene mutations (variations) inherited from one or both parents.
Lowered night vision and decreased peripheral vision are some of the earliest symptoms of RP. Prolonged cases of retinitis pigmentosa may also lead to central vision loss, eventually leading to legal blindness.
Unfortunately, no viable retinitis pigmentosa cure exists. You can only manage and work your way around this chronic eye condition for now.
Retinitis Pigmentosa Glasses
That’s why we have compiled a list of top 3 retinitis pigmentosa glasses, so that you can live well with RP and regain your independence as much as possible:
i. Argus II / Bionic Eye
People are familiar with this low vision solution through different names, i.e. ‘Argus II’, ‘Artificial Retina’, ‘Bionic Eye’ or ‘Retinal Prosthesis System’. It is designed to cater to the visual needs of adults suffering from severe to profound retinitis pigmentosa. The principle behind this low vision aid is to compensate for the function of light-sensing cells deteriorated or damaged due to RP. It is a well-sync combination of a miniature eye implant with a patient-worn camera mounted on a pair of glasses supplemented with a premiere processor that actually processes and enhances the way you see the world around you.
It comprises of:
Images of your surrounding are captured by the camera mounted on the glasses. The VPU transforms this visual information into electronic data, which is sent to a wireless receiver implanted within the eye. The implant, comprised of electrodes, assists the electronic signals to be transmitted directly to the brain, bypassing the damaged retinal cells. These are then interpreted as visual images.
Price: $150,000/Unit approximately. There are additional fees for implantation surgery and training on how to use the system.
Website: secondsight.com
Features
ii. eSight
eSight refers to one of the contemporary low vision aids for retinitis pigmentosa and a host of other eye conditions, aimed at helping people with low vision see better. eSight comprises of a pair of video camera-mounted glasses. The unit is a battery operated one, where the device and battery are connected together by means of a connecting cable. This gives you limited mobility, but you cannot work around without keeping track of the battery’s charge.
Price: $5,950/Unit
Website: esighteyewear.com
Features
iii. IrisVision Retinitis Pigmentosa Glasses
Not your average glasses for retinitis pigmentosa, IrisVision is a highly innovative and contemporary low vision solution aimed at assisting people with low vision conditions. In fact, it is the only low vision aid with a dedicated “RP Mode”, especially designed to augment the vision of people with RP. Moreover, it is also FDA approved Class-1 medical device.
The only Retinitis Pigmentosa Glasses with a Dedicated “RP Mode”
What really sets IrisVision apart from other glasses for retinitis pigmentosa is the dedicated “RP Mode”. As a person with RP, you can change the ‘Field of View’ (FOV) of the screen visible to you, shrinking the whole scene to fit within your efficient FOV zone. This ability to shrink the entire image into a smaller viewing area not only serves people with RP, but also glaucoma.
It is comprised of Samsung’s industry leading VR headset mounted with a latest smartphone, which serves to capture the finest, clearest and sharpest view. In addition to RP and glaucoma, IrisVision low vision glasses are designed to cater the visual requirements of a bunch of eye diseases, such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, optic nerve damage, ocular albinism and so forth.
Price: $2,950/Unit
Website: https://irisvision.wpengine.com
Features
One thing is for sure, technology is progressing at a rapid pace, what’s merely a farfetched idea today can be the most happening thing tomorrow. So, if you or a loved one is suffering from retinitis pigmentosa or some other degenerative eye diseases, many cures and many aids are around the corner.
As of now, IrisVision glasses for retinitis pigmentosa clearly seem to lead the industry in providing you relief of the limitations inflicted by this eye disease. It surely offers you the best value of money and you can avail a free trial anytime. So, best of luck for going ahead with that!
