More about IRD IRD refers to a multitude of diseases with a strong genetic component that lead to vision loss and, more often than not, eventual blindness. A mutated inherited gene (or genes – more than 260 of them can be to blame!) causes a degenerative condition. Some variations cause babies to be born with their eyesight already severely compromised and facing rapid deterioration to complete blindness whilst still in childhood. For patients of Retinitis Pigmentosa, a sub-group of IRDs, the path of degeneration is not universal, but sufferers often go from being able to read, drive, and watch television, to losing enough of their central vision to make these joys impossible. Imagine a child no longer able to recognise and engage with their mother’s face, or the taxi driver now unable to work. The impact on quality of life is significant. https://www.piphealth.com/