10100 Loop 40 West
Midland, TX 79706
Mailing Address
PO Box 61880
Midland, Tx 79711-1880
Lattice Degeneration
What is Lattice Degeneration?
Lattice Degeneration is a disease of the retina that occurs in 8 – 11% of the population. This common disease where the retina is weakened which may cause thinning, tear and holes in the retina. Without treatment, Lattice Degeneration may lead to retinal detachment.
Who is at risk for Lattice Degeneration?
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Lattice degeneration occurs in 8 to 11 percent of the general population.
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Men or women over the age of 20
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Most of the patients that are diagnosed with lattice degeneration are myopic (nearsighted).
How is Lattice Degeneration Diagnosed?
Lattice degeneration presents as a linear trail of fibrosed vessels within atrophied retina in a “lattice” pattern. This trail always occurs at the periphery of the eye/the end of the visual field.
The lattice pattern itself will not be noticeable but tears and holes may be present in your peripheral vision and may appear as floaters. If you are experiencing eye floaters or any other visual disturbances, call the experts at Premier Retina Specialists for an appointment.
Treatment for Lattice Degeneration
About 1 to 2 % of patient will form retinal holes in the lattice. Holes form due to the thinning of the retinal layer. When a hole forms you will be at risk of vitreous fluid getting under the retina and causing a retinal detachment. If caught early your doctor can laser around the hole to seal it down and prevent detachment. This will not however prevent other holes from forming. It is not unusual for scarring or pigmentation to develop with lattice degeneration or around old holes. There is no treatment needed if the holes are already scarred.
Retinal Detachment
Only about 1 in 10,000 patients develop a retinal detachment due to lattice degeneration with retinal holes. As long as holes do not form you will be followed until the doctor feels you are out of immediate danger of a retinal detachment. Then you will be scheduled to be seen on a yearly basis to monitor your lattice degeneration.
Can I Still Get LASIK?
It is not recommended to have LASIK surgery if you are myopic with lattice degeneration. The amount of pressure put on the eye during LASIK procedure could cause a tear in the thinning tissue, resulting in retinal detachment.
Call Now for an Appointment
If you are experiencing flashing or floaters in one or both eyes, call us today for an appointment. The caring staff at Premier Retina Specialists will properly identify and treat any diseases of the eye for the people of Midland, Odessa, Pecos and San Angelo, TX.