The present invention includes a method for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa in a human that comprises adminisering to the human a therapeutically effective amount of N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA). In accordance with an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa in an animal that comprises administering to the animal a therapeutically effective amount of N-acetylcystein amide (NACA).