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Addressing the Gap in Genetic Analysis of Inherited Retinal Dystrophies in Africa: A Literature Review by Dr. Oscar Onyango
Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are a group of genetic disorders that affect the retina, a thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye responsible for transmitting visual information to the brain. These disorders can lead to progressive vision loss and, in some cases, complete blindness. While IRDs are a global problem, research on the genetic basis of these disorders has been primarily focused on populations of European and Asian ancestry. Black, indigenous Africans with more genetic diversity are underrepresented in IRD research.