Does lattice degeneration sound like a new concern your eye doctor recently mentioned? You might be Googling for information to understand better what the diagnosis means for your vision. You might be on the lookout for symptoms of lattice degeneration like floaters, flashes, blurry vision, and changes to your peripheral vision.
These anxieties are common, especially after you have learned that lattice degeneration in the form of thinning retina increases your risk of a retinal tear. Here is the reassuring bit: Lattice degeneration usually causes no symptoms. However, it is critical to know which vision changes can indicate a retinal tear or detachment.
This guide will cover the symptoms you need to know never to ignore, how doctors identify this condition, and when it might be appropriate for treatment.
Does Lattice Degeneration Cause Symptoms?
One of the first, and perhaps most important, things we want to clarify is this: will this affect my sight, or will I even know I have it?
In most cases, no. Lattice degeneration usually causes no noticeable symptoms and often goes undetected until an eye doctor finds it during a dilated retinal examination.
• Lattice degeneration – often no symptoms present.
• Retinal tear – you might experience new flashes of light or floaters.
• Retinal detachment – you might experience flashes of light, many new floaters, a veil or shadow appearing, a loss of peripheral vision, or a sudden decrease in vision.
It is also true that other, more ordinary reasons might make you see floaters or flashes – like the typical changes that occur in the vitreous.
So, do not immediately jump to the conclusion that your lattice degeneration is the culprit behind any visual symptom that you notice. A retinal examination will tell you what is really going on.
What Are the Warning Signs to Watch For?
While lattice degeneration often gives no hint it is there, any drastic changes in your vision – especially those that happen rapidly – call for investigation. That can be when an area of the retina tears or detaches.
Watch out for:
• New flashes of light in the field of vision
• An increased number of floaters
• Lots of new dark specks or dots
• A dark curtain- or cobweb-like curtain covering a section of your vision
• New peripheral vision loss (side vision)
• Suddenly blurred vision
Can Lattice Degeneration Cause Blurry Vision?
Blurred vision might have you concerned about the integrity of your vision from lattice degeneration, but that is rarely due to any issues directly stemming from this condition.
Since lattice degeneration has very little impact on the quality of your vision and you have no symptoms to warn you of it, you are usually unaware it is present.
Blurry vision becomes more alarming when it has an abrupt onset, especially if you notice flashes of light, increased floaters, or a shade over part of your vision.
When there is a sudden change in the quality or clarity of your vision, you should seek medical attention immediately. This type of situation warrants prompt evaluation because you may be at risk for a retinal tear or even a retinal detachment.
Why Can Lattice Degeneration Increase Retinal Tear Risk?
It might sound scary, but do not worry! Lattice degeneration and retinal tears are linked, yes, but having one does not mean you will automatically suffer a retinal tear or detachment. Lattice degeneration creates weaker sections in the outer parts of the retina.
The vitreous gel can become more liquid as it changes with age. Stronger vitreoretinal attachments may remain around the edges of the lattice lesion, which can contribute to vitreoretinal traction.
This can generate vitreoretinal traction. In some rare instances, that traction can cause a retinal tear. If a tear occurs, fluid can get under the retina and, in some cases, cause the retina to detach. Fortunately, just because you have lattice degeneration does not guarantee a retinal detachment will occur.
The long-term risk of a retinal detachment is actually quite small for those with lattice degeneration. This is why many doctors observe the degeneration instead of treating all lattice lesions right away.
Who Has a Higher Risk of Lattice Degeneration?
Understanding things that contribute to lattice degeneration might offer insight into your diagnosis. Although these contributing factors do not guarantee you will have a retinal problem, they may affect how a doctor monitors your eyes.
• Nearsightedness
Lattice degeneration is more common among patients who are nearsighted or myopic. In fact, individuals with higher levels of myopia are also at higher risk of several retinal conditions. As a result, your eye doctor might closely monitor your peripheral retina during eye exams.
• Family History
You might have retinal lattice degeneration if it runs in your family. If anyone in your immediate family has ever had a retinal tear or detachment, make sure you let your eye doctor know.
• Certain Inherited Conditions
Stickler syndrome and Wagner syndrome are rare inherited vitreoretinal diseases that are sometimes characterized by lattice-like retinal degeneration. These disorders are distinct from common, isolated lattice degeneration and can only be diagnosed by a specialist.
Can Lattice Degeneration Get Worse?
Most of the time, not. Usually, lattice degeneration stays the same and does not affect day-to-day vision. Generally, your prognosis is good because most lattice degeneration lesions are stable or progress slowly.
The main thing you want to be aware of is the potential for complications like retinal tears or detachment of the retina from your eye. That is why your doctor may want to watch your retina even if you do not see anything or feel like anything is wrong.
If your vision unexpectedly changes, do not assume it is a normal evolution of lattice degeneration.
Can Lattice Degeneration Affect Both Eyes?
Reading that you can develop lattice degeneration in both eyes can lead to another question: If you find out that you have it in one eye, will you automatically have it in the other eye, as well?
Yes, you can develop lattice degeneration in one or both eyes. Your eye doctor will examine your eyes for it during an examination.
In fact, if you develop a new visual symptom, make a note of the eye you see the change in if you can determine it. Be sure to tell your eye doctor about it when you visit.
Retina Vitreous Associates Of Florida — Specialized Retinal Care For The Vision You Depend On.
Yes, a diagnosis of lattice degeneration can be frightening! Fortunately, this condition is generally asymptomatic, and most people with lattice degeneration will not experience retinal detachment. The critical distinction to make, then, is which kinds of acute visual disturbances warrant attention and a sense of urgency.
Lattice degeneration: If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with lattice degeneration, or you are experiencing any new symptoms like retinal flashes, floaters, or a sudden “shade” in your vision, Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida can help.
Are you interested in learning more about what the retina specialists and vitreous specialists at RVAF can do for your visual health? Feel free to give the RVAF team a call and let them know you would like to schedule an appointment to undergo an exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the symptoms of lattice degeneration?
For the most part, lattice degeneration is silent. Most times, eye doctors detect it by chance while looking in the eye during a dilated exam. However, if you have retinal problems, you might notice sudden bright flashes, a flurry of floaters, or vision loss. You might also notice peripheral vision loss or any rapid change in your vision.
2. Can lattice degeneration cause floaters?
Most cases of lattice degeneration do not create floaters on their own. If you see new floaters or if existing ones are becoming bigger or denser, these can be symptoms of vitreous detachment or retinal tears, so seek immediate attention from an eye doctor.
3. Can lattice degeneration cause flashes?
Lattice degeneration is generally asymptomatic. However, Lattice degeneration itself usually causes no symptoms. New flashes can occur when vitreoretinal traction stimulates the retina. A retinal tear can also cause flashes, so new or sudden flashes require prompt retinal evaluation. A timely evaluation can indicate whether retinal pathology has developed.
4. Does lattice degeneration mean I will develop retinal detachment?
No, most of those with lattice degeneration never go on to experience retinal detachment. It is a risk factor, but a small one. Regular eye exams are essential, and prompt care should not be delayed if new symptoms arise.
5. Does lattice degeneration need laser treatment?
Not always, most patients diagnosed with lattice degeneration do not require treatment and need close monitoring by a retina specialist. Only if a torn or suspect retinal finding poses an elevated risk will laser treatment or another procedure be recommended.