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Retinitis pigmentosa (inherited retinal dystrophy): US-approved treatments and how Gulf families can access them

Creator: Reserve Meds
Published: 2026-10-17

A plain guide for families in the Gulf, checked against US FDA labels, Gulf drug registers and published medical research.

Reviewed by the Reserve Meds clinical operations team on 17 October 2026.

Retinitis pigmentosa: the short answer

The US FDA has approved one medicine on this page for retinitis pigmentosa, each for specific patients. One of them is on at least one Gulf register we checked, so ask your hospital about local supply first. Otherwise the hospital can request a named-patient import. Reserve Meds is a digital health company. We do not diagnose or prescribe.

US FDA-approved medicines on this page: Luxturna.
Gulf registration (checked 17 October 2026): see each medicine below.
Legal route: Treatment at a qualified center, after a specialist referral.
Price: Quote on request.

What is retinitis pigmentosa?

Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of related inherited eye disorders that cause progressive vision loss. The light-sensing cells of the retina, the tissue at the back of the eye, slowly deteriorate.^[1]

The first sign is usually poor night vision in childhood. Later, blind spots appear in side vision and merge into tunnel vision. Over years or decades, central vision needed for reading and recognizing faces is affected, and many adults become legally blind. Some forms are part of syndromes, such as Usher syndrome with hearing loss.^[1]

Many different genes can cause retinitis pigmentosa, so genetic testing is key. In the US, one gene therapy is approved for patients with confirmed changes in both copies of the RPE65 gene. It is injected under the retina during eye surgery at specialized centers.^[2]

Retinitis pigmentosa in the Gulf

A study of an extended Kuwaiti tribe found 44 patients with inherited retinal diseases from 28 families, including retinitis pigmentosa linked to RP1 and PDE6B gene variants, showing how specific variants can cluster in related families.^[3]

US FDA-approved medicines for retinitis pigmentosa

Each medicine below is approved in the US for a specific group of patients. The wording summarizes the current US label. Your specialist decides whether any of them is right for the patient.

Luxturna (voretigene neparvovec-rzyl)
FDA-approved for patients with confirmed biallelic RPE65 mutation-associated retinal dystrophy who have enough viable retinal cells, as assessed by their doctor. It is a one-time gene therapy injected under the retina in each eye, at a qualified center.^[2]
Given at a qualified treatment center. Gulf registers: Saudi Arabia: listed in the SFDA drugs list. Abu Dhabi: has an active code in the Abu Dhabi DoH drug code list. Checked 17 October 2026. UAE federal status, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman: not verified in a public register.^{[4, 5]}
Country guides: Saudi Arabia, UAE, India

How families in the Gulf can access these medicines

If the medicine is listed in your country. Ask your specialist and the hospital pharmacy about local supply first. A listing does not mean every hospital stocks the medicine, and another brand of the same medicine may also be registered, but local supply is usually the fastest route and you may not need us.

For Luxturna. These treatments are made for each patient or need a specialized procedure, so treatment happens at a qualified center. For most Gulf families that means a referral from the treating specialist to a center that can give the treatment. A local hospital can only give it if the manufacturer agrees to supply that hospital and the regulator approves. We cannot promise that a manufacturer will agree.

Who does what

Your treating specialist decides whether a medicine is right for the patient and writes the letter.
The hospital checks local supply, files any import request, and gives the treatment safely.
The national regulator decides whether to approve the import of a medicine that is not registered.
The manufacturer decides where its medicine can be supplied, especially for cell and gene therapies.
Reserve Meds helps organize records, coordinates US supply through our wholesale partner, shipping and updates to your family. We do not give medical advice.

Documents you will usually need

A letter from the treating specialist with the diagnosis, past treatments and why the medicine is being considered
Reports that confirm the diagnosis, such as laboratory, genetic, imaging or pathology results, translated into English where needed
Recent clinic notes and a list of current medicines
For a hospital import request: the prescription, the hospital's request form and the written consent of the patient or guardian
Proof of the US FDA approval and the US prescribing information (we can supply these)

We give you a written timeline estimate once we see the hospital file. The regulator, the treatment center and the manufacturer set their own timelines.

What treatment costs

Quote on request. Your total cost depends on the medicine, the dose, shipping, import steps and coordination. Your coordination fee is quoted in writing for your case before you commit. No hidden charges.

How Reserve Meds helps

Reserve Meds is a digital health company. Medicines are supplied through a US-licensed pharmaceutical wholesale partner. We help your doctor and hospital prepare the file, arrange US supply and temperature-controlled shipping once approval is in place, and keep your family updated. We coordinate access to FDA-approved medicines only. Investigational medicines are only available through a manufacturer's expanded-access program requested by the treating physician; we can explain that route, but we do not supply them.

Ask us about treatment for retinitis pigmentosa

Tell us the medicine, your country and a WhatsApp or phone number. We reply within one business day. On WhatsApp we usually reply the same day.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an FDA-approved treatment for retinitis pigmentosa?

Yes. The medicine on this page has US FDA approval for specific groups of patients: Luxturna. The exact conditions are in each US label and are summarized above. Your specialist decides whether any of them fits.

Is Luxturna available in Saudi Arabia or the UAE?

Saudi Arabia: listed in the SFDA drugs list. Abu Dhabi: has an active code in the Abu Dhabi DoH drug code list. Checked 17 October 2026. UAE federal status, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman: not verified in a public register. A listing in Abu Dhabi does not show federal UAE status.

How can a family in the Gulf get Luxturna?

It is given at a qualified center. Your specialist refers the patient, the center checks eligibility, and the family plans funding and travel. A local hospital can only give it if the manufacturer agrees to supply it and the regulator approves.

How much does treatment cost?

Quote on request. Your total cost, including the medicine, shipping, import steps and coordination, is quoted in writing for your case before you commit. No hidden charges.

Will the gene therapy work for every type of retinitis pigmentosa?

No. The US label is only for retinal dystrophy caused by changes in both copies of the RPE65 gene. Genetic testing confirms whether it applies.

Why does family history matter?

Retinitis pigmentosa is inherited. The Kuwaiti tribe study shows that specific gene variants can cluster in related families, which helps with testing and counseling.

Sources for the last two answers: ^[2] ^[3]

Sources

Checked on 17 October 2026. Labels, registers and regulator rules change. Your hospital pharmacy confirms the current position before filing.

This page is general health information, not medical advice. It does not replace a consultation with your doctor.