What genetic condition affects the retina and leads to progressive vision loss?

Retinitis pigmentosa is the correct answer as it specifically refers to a group of genetic disorders that involve a progressive degeneration of the retina, ultimately leading to vision loss. This condition primarily affects the photoreceptor cells in the retina—rods and cones—which are essential for detecting light and color. Individuals with retinitis pigmentosa typically experience night blindness and a gradual loss of peripheral vision, eventually leading to tunnel vision or complete vision loss.

In contrast, other conditions listed have different causes and implications: macular degeneration involves the deterioration of the macula, which affects central vision but is not primarily genetic; glaucoma is more related to increased intraocular pressure, leading to optic nerve damage; and cataracts involve the clouding of the eye's lens, which can result from aging or other factors, but are not primarily a genetic retinal condition. Thus, retinitis pigmentosa stands out as the condition specifically linked to genetic factors impacting the retina directly.