What is Usher Syndrome?
Usher syndrome is an inherited condition which results inhearing loss and a progressive loss of vision from Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). The hearing loss is thought to be congenital, and ranges from moderate to profound. RP can occur without hearing loss. The condition is named after a British ophthalmologist, C.H. Usher, who in a paper in 1914 described several cases in which the link between congenital deafness and RP was stressed. However, as far back as 1860 workers such as von Graef and Liebreich in Berlin were aware of the link between congenital deafness and RP, especially in consanguineous marriages. There are three known forms of Usher syndrome.
Usher syndrome is a condition characterized by hearing loss or deafness and progressive vision loss. The loss of vision is caused by an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa (RP), which affects the layer of light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (the retina). Vision loss occurs as the light-sensing cells of the retina gradually deteriorate. Night vision loss begins first, followed by blind spots that develop in the side (peripheral) vision. Over time, these blind spots enlarge and merge to produce tunnel vision. In some cases of Usher syndrome, vision is further impaired by clouding of the front surface of the eye (cataracts). Many people with retinitis pigmentosa retain some central vision throughout their lives, however. Researchers have identified three major types of Usher syndrome, designated as types I, II, and III. These types are distinguished by their severity and the age when signs and symptoms appear. Type I is further divided into seven distinct subtypes, designate
Usher syndrome is an inherited condition characterized by hearing impairment and progressive vision loss. The vision loss is due to retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a degenerative condition of the retina, and usually appears during adolescence or early adulthood. Balance may also be affected. Symptoms vary from person to person and progress at different rates. Researchers funded by The Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) are studying causes and potential treatments for Usher syndrome and other retinal degenerative diseases. Excellent progress in research has been made recently. There are at least three different forms of Usher syndrome. People with Usher syndrome type 1 (USH1) are usually born with severe hearing loss and experience problems with balance. The first signs of RP — night blindness and loss of peripheral vision — usually appear in early adolescence. In Usher syndrome type 2 (USH2), newborns have moderate to severe hearing impairment. Symptoms of RP typically start shortly after
