What is Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) characterized by?

What is Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) characterized by?

• A. Sudden blindness with no beforehand symptoms
• B. Early onset of retinal vessel growth
• C. Progressive degeneration affecting neurosensory retina or retinal pigment epithelium
• D. Complete healthy retinal function for the lifetime

Answer: (C)

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is characterized by the gradual degeneration of the retinal tissue, specifically the neurosensory retina and retinal pigment epithelium. This condition often leads to vision loss as the photoreceptor cells in the retina deteriorate over time. The term "progressive" signifies that the degeneration occurs in stages, and the clinical signs may not be immediately apparent, causing affected animals to retain some vision until advanced stages of the disease. This progressive degeneration directly impacts the ability of the retina to respond to light, resulting in symptoms such as night blindness and eventual loss of vision. In contrast, the sudden onset of blindness without prior symptoms is characteristic of different conditions, such as retinal detachment or acute glaucoma. The early onset of retinal vessel growth is indicative of other diseases like diabetic retinopathy or retinal dysplasia rather than PRA. Lastly, the statement regarding complete healthy retinal function for a lifetime does not apply to PRA, as the condition inherently involves a decline in retinal function over time.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is characterized by the gradual degeneration of the retinal tissue, specifically the neurosensory retina and retinal pigment epithelium. This condition often leads to vision loss as the photoreceptor cells in the retina deteriorate over time. The term "progressive" signifies that the degeneration occurs in stages, and the clinical signs may not be immediately apparent, causing affected animals to retain some vision until advanced stages of the disease. This progressive degeneration directly impacts the ability of the retina to respond to light, resulting in symptoms such as night blindness and eventual loss of vision.

In contrast, the sudden onset of blindness without prior symptoms is characteristic of different conditions, such as retinal detachment or acute glaucoma. The early onset of retinal vessel growth is indicative of other diseases like diabetic retinopathy or retinal dysplasia rather than PRA. Lastly, the statement regarding complete healthy retinal function for a lifetime does not apply to PRA, as the condition inherently involves a decline in retinal function over time.