Alternative titles and symbols : Rod-cone dystrophy, childhood-onset;
Description : Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) describes a group of disorders with progressive degeneration
of rod and cone photoreceptors in a rod-cone pattern of dysfunction. RP has a prevalence
of 1 in 3,500, and is genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous (summary by Mackay
et al., 2010). For a general phenotypic description and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity
of retinitis pigmentosa, see 268000.;
Inheritance : Autosomal recessive;
Molecular basis : Caused by mutation in the MER tyrosine kinase protooncogene (MERTK, 604705.0001);