Hereditary chorioretinal dystrophies are group of inherited, or genetic, conditions that affect the choroid, the retinal pigment epithelium (the layer of the retina that lies between the photoreceptors and the choroid), or the macula and surrounding retina.

In this group of diseases, genetic mutations cause cells to deteriorate and malfunction. Abnormal pigmentation or deposits of protein may also occur. There is no standard treatment for these diseases, but because vision loss usually occurs early in life, most people are able to adapt relatively well. Though some cases result in legal blindness, most chorioretinal dystrophies do not destroy peripheral vision. Some of the most common are Stargardt’s Disease, Best’s Disease, and Retinitis Pigmentosa.