Rep. John Schlegel of Lebanon has introduced House Resolution 349 to declare April 2024 as Retinal Blindness Awareness Month. The resolution is in honor of Gracyn Smith, a young woman from Lebanon County who has been living with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) for most of her life.
“Several retinal diseases can result in blindness, including Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a rare genetic condition that causes light-detecting cells in the retina to breakdown. This condition typically begins in childhood or adolescence. It is progressive and has no cure,” stated Schlegel.
Gracyn Smith, a 20-year-old student at Coastal Carolina University, was diagnosed with RP at age five. The disease has impaired her night vision, peripheral and central vision over time. Symptoms can also include loss of color perception and sensitivity to bright light.
Despite these challenges, Gracyn remains hopeful for a cure for retinal blindness. She is actively involved with the Curing Retinal Blindness Foundation, advocating for research and awareness efforts aimed at finding a cure.
The Curing Retinal Blindness Foundation focuses on CRB1 diseases like RP, which stem from mutations in the CRB1 gene. Other related conditions include Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis and cone-rod dystrophy. Researchers are exploring new gene therapies and treatments to combat vision loss caused by these diseases.
Representative John Schlegel serves the 101st Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
