Lattice degeneration is a disease that affects the retina of the eye, causing the retina to atrophy and thin. Although this is not usually a progressive disease, in rare cases, network degeneration can lead to retinal detachment and temporary or permanent vision loss. In the United States, up to 10% of the population has this disease. Of these, between 30% and 50% are affected in both eyes. This eye disease is associated with nearsightedness, and the two conditions often appear together.
Although multiple theories have been suggested as to the cause of this disease, the factors that lead to reticular ocular degeneration remain unknown. Diseased eyes have vascular deficiencies, which means that the network of vessels that supplies blood to the retina is underdeveloped. It is not known whether this vascular deficiency is a cause or a symptom of reticular ocular degeneration.
Lattice degeneration does not usually have easily recognizable symptoms. A person with this condition may have blurred distance vision; However, this is most often caused by nearsightedness. Often when symptoms are noticed, they are symptoms of a complication rather than the disease itself.
The most common complication of lattice degeneration is retinal detachment; However, this is in itself a rare complication. Retinal detachment occurs in less than 1% of people with reticular eye degeneration. When retinal detachment occurs, the patient is likely to experience white floaters and flashes in their field of vision. Floaters are small black spots that float in the field of vision. If these symptoms appear suddenly without warning, they may indicate retinal detachment and treatment should be sought from a physician or ophthalmologist.
People with lattice degeneration do not usually require any treatment, as the disease does not affect vision and complications are rare. In certain circumstances, prophylactic treatment may be necessary to prevent complications. For example, if someone with lattice eye detachment has a detached retina in one eye, her other eye may be treated to prevent the detachment. A detached retina can also be treated to prevent further damage.
Laser photocoagulation of retinal tears is the most common prophylactic treatment used for reticular ocular degeneration. This therapy is used both to prevent and treat retinal detachment. In laser photocoagulation, a laser is directed at the retina of the eye. The laser is used to cauterize small vessels in the retina to repair holes and reduce the chance of detachment.