Patients with pre-existing retinal tears, retinal holes or lattice degeneration may safely undergo FOV, or vitrectomy. Lattice degeneration is a normal finding of the retina. If a tear or hole is found, it most easily treated at this time. In fact, it is standard practice to look for holes and tears at the end of the case. In the image, a retinal tear is discovered and then treated with a laser probe. Regardless, both tears and holes found at the time of surgery can be safely treated with laser or cryotherapy. Blunt or penetrating injuries to the eye can damage the vitreous and the retina and can therefore increase the risk of RD. Some 30 of patients with an RD will also have lattice degeneration. It may also be possible a retinal tear is created during surgery. Lattice degeneration, a developmental thinning of the retina, occurs in 6 to 8 of the population. It is possible that a retinal tear can be found at the time of vitrectomy (FOV). For tears or holes which are difficult to see, cryotherapy is an excellent alternative.Ĭryotherapy tends to cause more discomfort and swelling. The only difference is that laser is easier to perform, but not every hole or tear can be treated with laser depending upon location.īelieve it or not, certain tears/holes are difficult to see. Tears and holes are usually treated with laser, or sometimes, cryotherapy (freezing). Retinal tears, without a retinal detachment, can usually be treated with laser to prevent the chance of retinal detachment. ![]() While it is true that patients with lattice degeneration may have an increased risk of retinal detachment, having a vitrectomy performed does NOT increase the risk of retinal tears or retinal detachment anymore than a person without lattice degeneration. Either the holes which sometimes are found with lattice degeneration or the tears which occur adjacent to the areas of lattice can cause a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. The concern about lattice degeneration is the association with retinal detachments. Both retinal tears and retinal holes may lead to a retinal detachment. Retinal tears may occur with lattice degeneration, too. Lattice degeneration affects 1 in 10 people, or about 10 of the population. These atrophic holes are very similar to taking a pencil erasure and rubbing hard enough until you get a hole in the paper. Lattice degeneration is a thinning of the retina that happens over time. It is noted more often in patients with moderate to high myopia.Ītrophic retinal holes are commonly associated with lattice degeneration. Lattice degeneration is often described as a natural thinning of the retina and affects about 5-10% of the normal population. Retinal tears and holes associated with lattice degeneration may lead to retinal detachment, but prophylactic laser treatment can prevent or decrease the chances of retinal detachment. While it may increase your chance of developing a retinal detachment, it is not a contraindication to vitrectomy (FOV). The laser spots induce small scars to form that adhere the retina to the eye wall, acting as a seal or “glue” in the area of the lattice that will reduce the risk of future retinal detachment.Lattice degeneration is a common and normal finding in the retina. The eye may be sore for 24 hours and the discomfort is usually relieved with Tylenol or Advil. After the laser treatment, vision can be blurry for up to 30 minutes, but recovers. During laser treatment, the patient experiences bright flashes of light. Then the laser is applied around the area of lattice. A numbing drop is applied to the eye and a contact lens may be used to focus the laser light. Laser treatment is performed in the office. In addition, laser may be recommended to an eye with lattice in a patient with a history of retinal detachment in the other eye. ![]() Retinal detachment means the retina is pulled. ![]() ![]() However, because lattice is a thinning of the retina and retinal tears and detachments are more likely to originate in these areas, prophylactic laser treatment may be considered - especially if the patient experiences flashing lights, new floaters, or a curtain-like shade over their vision, which are retinal detachment warning signs. Lattice degeneration may increase your risk for a retinal tear, hole, or detachment. The patient usually does not have symptoms from lattice, and often no treatment is required. Lattice degeneration occurs in about 8% of the general population and is more common in eyes that are nearsighted (myopic). Lattice degeneration is a thinning of the peripheral retina that sometimes is associated with retinal holes.
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