MATCHING CAUSE AND THERAPY

Now that the extent and nature of gene mutations responsible for retinal degenerations is becoming clear, it is also apparent that quite a number of treatments will be needed. In particular, there will be no single treatment for RP, the most prevalent of the inherited retinal diseases, because it is now known to result from a diversity of gene mutations, all causing retinal degeneration, but through differing mechanisms. The significance of this is not only that researchers must continue to show leadership in the ongoing development of treatments but they must also be looked to for the development of means of reliably pinpointing which specific gene mutation an affected person has. Fortunately, advances are now taking place in the techniques of genotyping, which will, in time, make the matching of cause and therapy a practical reality.