Both retinal thinning (due to cell loss) and retinal thickening (due to presumed edema) appear to be associated with lower visual acuity in patients with typical retinitis pigmentosa. The definition of the OCT third high-reflectance band may help to predict which patients are more likely to lose visual acuity as retinal thickness declines. An increase or decrease in retinal thickness of more than 17 microm at fixation or 11 microm over the central 1 mm at follow-up can be considered a significant (P < 0.01) change in these patients.

To determine whether a therapeutic dose of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an-3 fatty acid, will slow the course of retinal degeneration in adult patients with retinitis pigmentosa who are also receiving vitamin A. Design: Randomized, controlled, double-masked trial of 221 patients, aged 18 to 55 years, evaluated over a 4-year interval. Patients were given either 1200 mg/d of docosahexaenoic acid or control capsules. All were given 15000 IU/d of vitamin A (given as retinyl palmitate). Randomization considered genetic type and baseline dietary-3 fatty acid intake. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measure was the total point score for the 30-2 program of the Humphrey field analyzer; secondary outcome measures were the total point score for the 30-2 and 30/60-1 programs combined, 30-Hz electroretinogram amplitude, and Early Treatment Diabetic Rentinopathy Study visual acuity. Results: No significant differences in decline in ocular function were found between the docosahexaenoic

No abstract

No abstract