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What is Lattice Degeneration of the Retina?
Your retina is located in the back of your eye and it is made of thin, photosensitive tissue. Lattice degeneration is thinning along the surface of the retina. This condition may make the retina vulnerable to tears, holes, or detachment. Lattice degeneration does not interfere with vision, but retinal detachment is an urgent eye condition that requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.
Symptoms of Lattice Degeneration
There are no symptoms associated with lattice degeneration. Patients will not experience any changes in vision as long as the lattice degeneration does not cause further retinal damage. Your eye doctor can detect lattice degeneration with a dilated eye exam. If you are diagnosed with lattice degeneration, you should see a retinal specialist who can monitor your condition. While lattice degeneration will not affect your vision, it does put you at risk for retinal detachment, which can cause vision loss.
If you do experience any symptoms of retinal detachment, such as blurred vision, loss of peripheral vision, or a sudden appearance of flashes or floaters, you should seek immediate treatment.
What Causes Lattice Degeneration?
Lattice degeneration affects up to 10% of people, but an underlying cause is unknown.1 There is no known genetic component, but family history may play a part in the development of lattice degeneration and people with high levels of nearsightedness may have a higher risk of developing it.
Treatment for Lattice Degeneration
In cases of lattice degeneration that are not associated with acute tears or a retinal detachment, observation with regular dilated eye exams is typically all that is needed. If retinal holes or tears are detected, our specialists can create a treatment plan that is designed to prevent retinal detachment. Procedures for holes or tears include a specialized laser or a cryotherapy technique. These treatments work to strengthen the retina by forming a bond between the retinal tissue and the surface beneath it.
Contact Retina Vitreous Associates
The eye doctors at Retina Vitreous Associates are leading retina experts with the training and experience to provide top quality specialty eye care. Contact us if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment.
1The American Society of Retina Specialists. Lattice Degeneration. Available: https://www.asrs.org/patients/retinal-diseases/36/lattice-degeneration Accessed August 12, 2020.
