To date, tens or even hundreds of genes have been identified that can cause retinitis pigmentosa (RP). After reviewing the domestic and international literature, the following 50 mutated genes have been clearly confirmed and reported (in alphabetical order): ABCA4,AIPL1,ARL6,BEST1,CA4,CERKL,C2orf71,CLRN1,DHDDS. NGA1,CNGB1,CRB1,CRX,EYS,FAM161A,FSCN2,GUCA1B,IDH3B,IMPDH1,IMPG2,KLHL7,LRAT,MAK,MERTK,NR2E3,NRL,PDE6A,PDE6B,PRCD,PDE6G,PROM1,PRPF3. PRPF31,PRPF6,PRPF8,PRPH2,RBP3,RDH12,RGR,RHO,RLBP1,ROM1,RP1,RP2,RP9,RPE65,RPGR,SAG,SEMA4A,SNRNP200,TOPORS,TULP1,USH2A,ZNF513. from clinical manifestations, as well as from fundus examination, visual electrophysiology as well as fundus examination and visual electrophysiology, the diagnosis of RP is relatively easy, but for some special types of cases, the differential diagnosis with other retinal degeneration-like diseases is difficult, therefore, genetic testing may be one of the important tools for the final definitive diagnosis. In addition, genetic testing has the following multiple implications for patients with RP: 1. Definitive diagnosis. Waxing or atrophy of the optic disc, retinal vascular slenderness, and pigmentation are the three elements in the diagnosis of RP, however, for some specific types of cases, whether it is RP, or choroidal atrophy, parvular pigmentation, or secondary retinitis pigmentosa, genetic testing is ultimately needed to clarify the diagnosis of the disease. 2. Determine the causative agent. For a specific patient, genetic testing can clarify the true cause of the disease, especially for patients with a family history of inheritance, testing one patient can basically clarify the possible mutation genes of other patients in the family (of course, there are exceptions), which is important for the diagnosis and prevention of family inherited diseases. 3.Judging the prognosis. Different types of RP have different disease development, different speed of lesion progression, and different final vision prognosis, which are closely related to mutated genes, so genetic testing can determine the disease development process and prognosis of patients. 4.Guiding treatment. At present, gene therapy for some types of RP has been carried out worldwide, such as autosomal dominant, MERTK-related autosomal recessive RP, Usher syndrome, etc. There are more institutions and companies involved in clinical trials, and breakthroughs should be made soon in certain fields. With the rapid development of molecular biology, genetic engineering, stem cells and other fields, the treatment of RP will eventually make a breakthrough!