LATTICE DEGENERATION

The retina is the light sensitive membrane in the back of the eye. Lattice degeneration is a condition in which there is a thinning in the peripheral retina. This condition is found in approximately 10% of the general population and tends to run in families. Sometimes the thinning can become severe enough for a retinal hole to develop in the retina. Fluid from inside the eye may then go through the retinal break. When this happens the retina separates from its blood supply and the vision may become diminished. This is known as a retinal detachment. Most people with lattice degeneration do not develop a retinal detachment, however, in people who have retinal detachments, 30% of them are caused by lattice degeneration.

When a person with lattice degeneration is considered to be at high risk for developing a retinal detachment, treatment may be recommended. This treatment may consist of sealing the lattice degeneration or the holes within the lattice degeneration with either laser or cryotherapy. Once the lattice degeneration is sealed, the risk of a retinal detachment becomes reduced. A retinal detachment may still occur, however, due to the formation of lattice degeneration in untreated areas of the retina or due to the formation of new holes or tears in other locations.

People with lattice degeneration should be aware of the warning signs of a retinal detachment.

The four warning signs of a retinal detachment are:

1. Flashes of lights.

2. Dark floaters (spots which move with eye movement and are seen under normal lighting conditions).

3. A curtain of darkness or a persistent dark area in the field of vision.

4. Blurriness of vision that does not go away with blinking.

If you should experience any of these four warning signs, you should contact your eye doctor immediately for examination.

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