Retinitis Pigmentosa — NDIS Support
Yes — Retinitis Pigmentosa can qualify for NDIS support. Retinitis Pigmentosa is on the NDIA’s List B — permanence is recognised, and you evidence the functional impact on daily life. Funding covers reasonable and necessary supports across daily living, therapy, social participation and capacity building.
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a heterogeneous group of inherited retinal dystrophies characterised by progressive degeneration of the photoreceptors — primarily the rod photoreceptors of the peripheral retina, followed by cone photoreceptors. The hallmark features are night blindness (nyctalopia) due…
Retinitis Pigmentosa & the NDIS FAQs
- Does retinitis pigmentosa qualify for NDIS?
- RP is a List B condition, meaning NDIS access requires evidence of functional impairment — not simply a diagnosis. The ophthalmologist or low vision specialist documents the degree of visual field loss, visual acuity, and functional impact on daily activities (mobility, self-care, employment, social participation).…
- Can NDIS fund a guide dog for retinitis pigmentosa?
- Guide dogs for RP are funded through Guide Dogs Australia — a specialist service that provides guide dogs at no cost to eligible Australians with vision impairment. NDIS may fund orientation and mobility training, including guide dog training reinforcement, as part of the participant's plan. The orientation and…
- Is there treatment for retinitis pigmentosa?
- Until recently there was no treatment to halt RP progression, but gene therapy has transformed outcomes for some subtypes. Voretigene neparvovec (Luxturna) is approved for RPE65-related RP (biallelic RPE65 mutations) and can restore meaningful vision in eligible patients. Vitamin A palmitate supplementation has modest…
- Can I still drive with retinitis pigmentosa?
- Driving requires adequate peripheral visual fields, and RP typically impairs peripheral vision before central vision. Most Australians with RP lose the ability to meet legal driving standards (requiring at least 120 degrees of binocular visual field) as their condition progresses — often in their 20s or 30s. Driving…
- How does NDIS support employment for someone with retinitis pigmentosa?
- NDIS Capacity Building — Finding and Keeping a Job can fund vocational assessment, workplace AT assessment (screen readers, magnification software, lighting), job modification support and employment planning. The Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) — administered through JobAccess — provides funding for workplace…
Retinitis Pigmentosa & the NDIS — practical guides
- Applying for the NDIS with Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Assistive Technology for Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Day Programs & Community Participation for Retinitis Pigmentosa
- NDIS Employment Support (SLES & DES) for Retinitis Pigmentosa
- NDIS Funding & Budget for Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Therapy & Allied Health for Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Finding & Managing Support Workers for Retinitis Pigmentosa
Related conditions
- Usher Syndrome and the NDIS
- Epidermolysis Bullosa and the NDIS
- Hydrocephalus and the NDIS
- Turner Syndrome and the NDIS
- Noonan Syndrome and the NDIS
- Batten Disease (NCL) and the NDIS
- Niemann-Pick Disease and the NDIS
- Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome and the NDIS
- Limb Amputation (Acquired) and the NDIS
- 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (DiGeorge) and the NDIS
Sources
Reviewed by the Novida editorial team · last reviewed 2026-07-12. General information only — not medical advice.