What does a diagnosis indicate when a student is reported to have both Retinitis Pigmentosa and difficulty with night vision?

The diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) combined with difficulty in night vision suggests an increased sensitivity to light. RP is a progressive genetic disorder that primarily affects the retina, leading to the degeneration of photoreceptors, particularly the rods, which are responsible for low-light vision. As the rods deteriorate, individuals with RP typically experience substantial difficulty seeing in dim light or dark conditions, which is reflected in their struggle with night vision.

Increased sensitivity to light occurs because, as the retinal cells begin to fail, the remaining cells may become more responsive or hypersensitive to available light, but this does not improve the ability to see in low light conditions due to the overall loss of function in the rods. Thus, the reported combination of symptoms—having Retinitis Pigmentosa and difficulty with night vision—strongly correlates with this increased sensitivity to light. This connection is crucial for understanding how RP impacts visual function, particularly in low-light environments.