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Last updated on Sep 9, 2025

Functional Medicine for Retinitis Pigmentosa

Functional medicine addresses the root causes of Retinitis Pigmentosa by focusing on immunity, gut health, and inflammation. Learn how Dr. Andy Rosenfarb integrates these therapies.

Functional Medicine for Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis Pigmentosa is often framed as a purely genetic condition, leaving patients with few options beyond low-vision support.
Dr. Andy Rosenfarb takes a different view — one that focuses on the root causes driving degeneration.

“In many cases of RP, the problem isn’t just genetics. It’s the immune system and the environment. Functional medicine helps us identify and treat those triggers.”

What Is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine looks at the whole person, asking why disease happens rather than just treating symptoms.
In RP, this means evaluating:

  • Immune system activity
  • Gut health
  • Inflammation levels
  • Toxic exposures
  • Stress and lifestyle factors

Why RP Needs a Root-Cause Approach

  • Genetics may create predisposition, but autoimmune and environmental factors drive progression.
  • Patients with similar genes can have vastly different outcomes.
  • Addressing the immune system and reducing inflammation gives patients more control over their vision health.

Core Functional Medicine Strategies for RP

1. Gut Health Repair

  • Leaky gut and dysbiosis can trigger autoimmune responses.
  • Restoring gut balance helps calm systemic inflammation.

2. Immune System Regulation

  • Identifying and removing triggers that overstimulate immunity.
  • Supporting immune tolerance with targeted therapies.

3. Nutritional & Herbal Therapy

  • Antioxidants (lutein, zeaxanthin, glutathione) protect retinal cells.
  • Omega-3s (especially DHA) support nerve repair.
  • Herbal medicine reduces inflammation and strengthens circulation.

4. Detoxification

  • Reducing toxic load from food, environment, and lifestyle.
  • Supporting liver function and cellular repair.

Conventional Medicine vs Functional Medicine

  • Conventional: Sees RP as unchangeable, focuses on genetic testing and visual aids.
  • Functional: Sees RP as modifiable, focuses on immune balance, inflammation reduction, and lifestyle medicine.

Patient Outcomes

While functional medicine is not a “cure,” it can:

  • Slow progression of vision loss
  • Improve systemic health
  • Reduce flare-ups linked to autoimmunity
  • Help patients feel more in control of their disease

Next Steps

If you or a loved one has RP: