In most cases the answer is yes. The most common form of inheritance is called recessive. In this type both the parents carry the genes which causes RP. They themselves are unaffected but there is a 25% chance that their children will have RP.

Another form of RP inheritance is X-linked. In X-linked RP, females carry the gene causing RP. When a female carrier marries an unaffected male, then there is a 50% chance that their sons will be affected, and a 50% chance that their daughters will be carriers.

X-linked RP is the one form for which carriers can often be detected. In X-linked RP when an affected male marries a non-carrier female, their sons will not be affected but all their daughters will be carriers.

There is also a dominant form of RP which can strike in every generation of a family. Since RP runs in families, all members in an affected family are urged to have a thorough eye examination. When planning a family, expert genetic counselling should be sought.