Which symptom is commonly associated with retinitis pigmentosa?

Diminished peripheral vision is a hallmark symptom of retinitis pigmentosa, reflecting the degeneration of rod photoreceptors in the retina, which are particularly responsible for peripheral and night vision. As these cells deteriorate over time, individuals often experience a narrowing of their visual fields, leading to tunnel vision. This progressive loss of peripheral vision significantly impacts daily activities, as it can make navigation and spatial awareness more challenging.

In contrast, increased sensitivity to light, sudden vision loss in one eye, and severe eye pain are not typical features of retinitis pigmentosa. While patients may experience photophobia earlier in the disease process, it is not as defining a characteristic. Sudden vision loss is often indicative of other conditions such as retinal detachment or vascular occlusion. Severe eye pain is also not associated with retinitis pigmentosa and may suggest other ocular disorders.