Lattice Degeneration Treatment. Should I have it?

I have had lattice in both my eyes for as long as I can remember. I developed cataracts in both of my eyes and last July, 2010, I had cataract surgery. My right eye was first, 2 weeks later I had my left eye cataract removed. Five weeks later I had a retinal detachment in my left eye. Since then, I've had multiple detachments in my left eye; Five total. I had the schleral buckle, several gas bubbles, lasering and finally now I have the oil holding my retina and macula. I was severely myopic in both eyes before the cataract lens implant, my brother had a retinal detachment even though he has never been myopic. My opthamalogist is wanting to do laser to help possibly prevent my Right eye's retina from detaching. I know there is a risk of retinal detachment after the lattice treatment, but there is also a risk if I have nothing done. I am scared to death. One opthamalogist told me he didn't see the need for the lattice treatment, as it hasn't been proven to work. My main opthamalogist is a macula specialist and he recommends that I do have the laser treatment on my Right eye. My QUESTION is, would you recommend that I have laser treatment on my  lattice in hopes that it will prevent my retina from detaching or do you think I should leave it alone and just hope for the best? I also have glaucoma which is controlled with Xalatan. Thanks so much in advance for your reply!

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

The main problem is retinal detachment can start from tears in normal retinal in patients with lattice.  Just treating the areas of lattice would not treat the normal looking areas  I would wait until you have symptoms in the good eye and see a retinal doctor immediately.  I had a retinal detachment in one eye followed by multiple surgeries and I have not had lattice treated in my good eye.


Dr. O.