<unk>  is the leading cause of inherited blindness, with approximately 1/4,000 individuals experiencing the non-syndromic form of their disease within their lifetime. It is estimated that 1.5 million people worldwide are currently affected. Early onset<unk>  occurs within the first few years of life and is typically associated with syndromic disease forms, while late onset<unk>  emerges from early to mid-adulthood. Autosomal dominant and recessive forms of<unk>  affect both male and female populations equally; however, the less frequent X-linked form of the disease affects male recipients of the X-linked mutation, while females usually remain unaffected carriers of the<unk>  trait. The X-linked forms of the disease are considered severe, and typically lead to complete blindness during later stages. In rare occasions, a dominant form of the X-linked gene mutation will affect both males and females equally. Due to the genetic inheritance patterns of<unk> , many isolate populations exhibit higher disease frequencies or increased prevalence of a specific<unk>  mutation. Pre-existing or emerging mutations that contribute to rod photoreceptor degeneration in<unk>  are passed down through familial lines; thus, allowing certain<unk>  cases to be concentrated to specific geographical regions with an ancestral history of the disease. Several hereditary studies have been performed to determine the varying prevalence rates in Maine (USA), Birmingham (England), Switzerland (affects 1/7000), Denmark (affects 1/2500), and Norway. Navajo Indians display an elevated rate of<unk>  inheritance as well, which is estimated as affecting 1 in 1878 individuals. Despite the increased frequency of<unk>  within specific familial lines, the disease is considered non-discriminatory and tends to equally affect all world populations.
Retinitis pigmentosa
Far-sightedness
Photic retinopathy
Chloroquine retinopathy
Corneal dystrophy
Sickle cell retinopathy
Ocular melanosis
Diabetic retinopathy