What visual field defect is characteristically found in retinitis pigmentosa?

Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of genetic disorders that lead to progressive degeneration of the retina, particularly affecting the photoreceptor cells, which are responsible for vision. One hallmark of this condition is the development of a ring scotoma, which is a type of visual field loss characterized by a central area of vision being relatively clear while peripheral vision is compromised.

As the disease progresses, individuals will typically experience a constriction of their peripheral vision, leading to a tunnel vision effect. The central vision may remain until later stages of the disease. This unique pattern of vision loss creates a ring-like appearance on visual field testing, where the central vision is preserved but surrounded by a loss of sensitivity in the peripheral areas.

This characteristic presentation aligns with the symptoms of retinitis pigmentosa, where the degeneration of photoreceptors occurs gradually from the periphery towards the center. In contrast, other types of visual field defects, such as arcuate or centrally focused scotomas, do not reflect the characteristic progression of retinitis pigmentosa. Hence, the identification of a ring scotoma is pivotal in diagnosing and understanding the implications of this progressive retinal disease.