Albescens punctate retinitis is a rare inherited eye disease spread in a pattern autosomal recessive . It is caused by a mutation affecting the gene usually RLBP1 protein encoding CRALBP . Manifested by impairment of the retina , the layer of the eye sensitive to light containing photoreceptor cells that are the cones and rods . Symptoms begin in childhood and include night blindness ( nyctalopia ) and the appearance of whitish deposits on the retina, visible through the ophthalmoscope . Later gradually decreases the visual acuity and extent of the visual field , resulting in areas of atrophy in the peripheral portion of the retina. Some scholars regard this disease as a variety of albipunctatus fundus . Currently there is no treatment available to cure the condition.