What it is
Lattice degeneration is an area where the retina near its far edge is thinner than normal and more firmly attached to the overlying vitreous gel. On examination it looks like an oval or band-shaped patch, sometimes crossed by fine white lines — the branching pattern that gives the condition its name. It is present in about eight to ten percent of the population, is often found in both eyes, tends to run in families, and is more common in people who are nearsighted.
Lattice itself is not a disease that damages vision. Its significance is mechanical: thin retina with strong vitreous attachment is where a tear is most likely to form when the vitreous gel eventually separates.
Symptoms
Lattice degeneration causes no symptoms. It sits far outside the area of the retina used for reading or recognizing faces, so it does not blur vision, and it cannot be felt. Symptoms only appear if a tear or detachment develops — see the warning signs below.
How it is found
Lattice is found incidentally during a dilated eye examination, often at a routine visit with your optometrist or ophthalmologist. Documenting it with wide-field retinal photography gives us a baseline to compare against at future visits.
Do we treat it?
Usually not. For the large majority of patients, lattice degeneration is simply observed. The lifetime risk that any given patch of lattice leads to a retinal detachment is low, and studies have not shown a benefit to treating every patient prophylactically.
We do consider laser retinopexy — placing a ring of laser spots around the thin area to weld the retina down — in selected higher-risk situations, for example when there is an associated retinal tear, when the other eye has already had a retinal detachment, or in certain patients with a strong family history or high myopia. This is an individual judgment, and we will talk through the reasoning with you.
Having lattice degeneration does not restrict normal activity. It is not a reason to avoid exercise, lifting, or air travel.
Warning signs to know
The reason we tell patients they have lattice is so they recognize trouble early. Call us at (315) 445-8166 the same day if you develop:
- A sudden increase in floaters, or a shower of new black specks
- New flashes of light
- A dark curtain or shadow moving in from the side of your vision
See flashes and floaters for more on what those symptoms mean.
Follow-up
Most patients with lattice degeneration need nothing more than a dilated examination at their regular eye visits. If we have treated an area with laser, or if you have other risk factors, we will set a follow-up interval that fits your situation.