Rod-cone dystrophies (RP) are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of inherited retinal disorders characterized by photoreceptor degeneration. RP1 is a major gene underlying autosomal dominant (ad) RP though prevalence figures vary depending on the origin of the cases from 0%-10% of all adRP. Some mutations in RP1 also lead to autosomal recessive RP. Herein we review all previously reported and several novel RP1 mutations in relation to the associated phenotype in patients from a French adRP cohort. Prevalence studies from this cohort show that 5.3% of the cases have RP1 mutations. This is in accordance with other studies reported from UK and USA. The majority of mutations represent truncating mutations which are located in a hot spot region of the gene. Similarly, we identified in total four novel deletions and nonsense mutations, of which two may represent recurrent mutations in this population. In addition a novel missense mutation of uncertain pathogenicity was identified. Including our findings, to date 43 RP1 mutations are known to cause adRP. Variable penetrance of the disease was observed in our and other cohorts. Most patients with RP1 mutations show classical signs of RP with relatively preserved central vision and visual field. ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.