Think of the retina as a wall lined with two kinds of light-sensing tiles — rods for dim light, cones for bright light and colour. Retinitis Pigmentosa is what happens when that wall starts losing tiles, gradually and in a fairly predictable order, though the pace differs from one patient to the next. It’s the single most common inherited cause of progressive sight loss on record, which explains why RP questions come up so often from patients across Kenya once a local eye specialist first raises the term.
There’s no universal timeline that applies to every RP patient, so the first real step of any consultation is figuring out exactly where a given patient sits on that timeline. That single piece of information — how far the disease has already progressed — ends up shaping almost everything else in the conversation that follows.
10+
years Experience
years Experience
5000+
Patients treated
Patients treated
100+
Countries served
Countries served
NABH
Guided facility
Guided facility
Ocular Symptoms
The rods go first in most patients, which is why struggling to see at dusk, or in a dimly lit room, is usually the first thing anyone notices — often years before anything else changes. From there, the outer edges of the visual field start closing in, gradually producing the tunnel vision RP is best known for; a ring-shaped blind spot often appears somewhere along that path. Central vision, run by the cones, is generally the last thing to go, though ‘last’ doesn’t mean ‘never’ — it can decline too, once the disease reaches an advanced stage.
Underlying Causes
There isn’t a single RP gene — there are over 80 of them identified so far, RHO, USH2A, and RPGR among the most common. Which one is at fault determines how the condition travels through a family: dominant in some cases, recessive in others, X-linked in a third group entirely. When a Kenyan household has more than one affected member, working out that inheritance pattern through the family tree often tells us as much as the eye exam does.
Diagnosis for Kenyan Patients
Four tests do most of the heavy lifting in confirming and staging RP: full-field electroretinography, which measures the electrical response from rods and cones; OCT, which images what’s left of the photoreceptor layers; Goldmann visual field testing, which charts exactly how far the peripheral vision has narrowed; and fundus autofluorescence, which shows the boundary between healthy retina and the degenerating edge. We offer genetic testing wherever it’s practical, since the specific gene involved can change both the prognosis and which treatment avenues are worth exploring.
Meet The Team
Our Eye Specialists
Dr. Pawan
Associate Professor, Vitreo-Retina Surgeon. 10+ Years Experience
Retinal disorders, diabetic retinopathy, and advanced retina procedures. Provides diagnostic evaluation and treatment planning for international patients.
Dr.Pallavee
Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist & Eye Surgeon· 26+ yrs experience
Areas of Focus: Cataract surgery, corneal disorders, refractive procedures, and glaucoma management. Provides comprehensive eye care and surgical expertise for global patients.
Dr. Robin
Consultant Ophthalmologist & Eye Surgeon, MD, DO .16+ Years Experience
Areas of Focus: Cataract surgery, corneal disorders, refractive procedures, and glaucoma management. Provides comprehensive eye care and surgical expertise for global patients.
Treatment Approach in India
When a patient’s evaluation supports it, regenerative stem cell therapy becomes one part of a larger plan aimed at protecting whatever retinal function is left. Alongside that sits low-vision rehabilitation, practical guidance on lighting and safe movement, and dietary advice — the goal being that a patient from Kenya leaves not with a single procedure but with a structured, ongoing way of managing the condition long after the visit ends
Reviews
What Our Patients Say
DR NAAGALAKSHMI R
1 week ago
Asha Babbar
2 weeks ago
The overall experience at the RP Treatment Center was very good. The staff was supportive and caring, and we provided proper attention and guidance during treatment. The environment at the center was clean and comfortable. The doctors and staff tried to understand patients' needs and explained the treatment process well.
Overall, I am satisfied with the service and care. Highly recommended!
Overall, I am satisfied with the service and care. Highly recommended!
Harshita Kapoor
2 weeks ago
Life‑Changing Experience with RP Therapy”
After years of struggling with vision loss due to Retinitis Pigmentosa, I finally found hope here. The doctors were highly professional, explained the stem cell treatment in detail, and gave me confidence at every step. The therapy was smooth, and I’ve already noticed positive changes in my daily life. Their dedication, care, and advanced medical approach make this center truly trustworthy
After years of struggling with vision loss due to Retinitis Pigmentosa, I finally found hope here. The doctors were highly professional, explained the stem cell treatment in detail, and gave me confidence at every step. The therapy was smooth, and I’ve already noticed positive changes in my daily life. Their dedication, care, and advanced medical approach make this center truly trustworthy
Yash Chauhan
2 weeks ago
I had a really good experience at RP Treatment Centre. The doctor listened to my problem patiently and explained the treatment in a simple way. The staff was polite and the clinic was clean. I started feeling better after the treatment. Highly recommended!
pragya chauhan
2 weeks ago
Very satisfied with the service. The doctor is experienced and gives proper attention to every patient. The staff is friendly, and the overall environment is comfortable. Thank you, RP Treatment Centre, for the excellent care.
Manisha kapoor
2 weeks ago
I had been struggling with Retinitis Pigmentosa for years, and finding this center was truly life‑changing. The doctors provided a thorough medical evaluation and explained every step of the stem cell therapy process with clarity. The treatment was smooth, professional, and I noticed encouraging improvements in my vision within weeks. Their continuous follow‑up care and compassionate support made me feel confident throughout the journey. Highly recommended for anyone seeking advanced RP treatment in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I going to end up completely blind because of RP
“Not necessarily, and this varies a great deal between individuals — it comes down largely to which gene is responsible and how it’s passed down. Plenty of people with RP hold onto real, usable vision, particularly in the centre of their field, well into old age. That’s why we look at each case on its own rather than assuming a single fixed outcome for everyone under the RP label.”
Two of my kids already show signs — should I worry about the others?
”
That comes down to the inheritance pattern of the exact gene responsible, and genetic testing is the most reliable way to establish that. We can walk you through what it likely means for your family, though for decisions about future children, we’d suggest bringing in a certified genetic counsellor alongside that conversation.”
Why can’t my local optician in Kenya just test for RP?
“A standard eye check is designed to pick up things like refractive error or cataract, not RP. Confirming and tracking RP needs equipment that most general clinics simply don’t carry — ERG and detailed field mapping in particular — which is why a dedicated evaluation usually means travelling somewhere it’s available.”
What should I bring along for my first visit?
“Bring whatever eye reports you already have, a rough sense of your family history if RP runs in the family, and a timeline of when symptoms started and how they’ve changed. That background alone speeds up the whole diagnostic process considerably.”
