Lattice degeneration laser treatment

[Travis1981]

Hi. Im 26 and have just been diagnosed with Lattice Degeneration in my left eye. I am myopic (-3.25 OD and -2.50 OS). I am an Australian expat living in Shanghai China and was diagnosed in the Shanghai  'New Vision Eye Clinic'. I have also been scheduled for laser surgery to treat this degeneration. I was told I have thinning of the retina but asked little questions as I had no idea what this disorder was. After reading into it on the net, I found that it is very common and usually requires no surgical attention until holes, tears or detachments occur. I have had floaters since I was 21 and I believe I have noticed extra floaters recently but I can't be certain.. The ophthalmologist  said there were no tears or signs of detachment but believed that surgery was necessary. I am scared. Surgery is expensive and I have heard rumors that some Chinese practices charge westerners for surgery they don't need. My question is, do you believe I need surgery for a lattice degeneration with no holes or tears? And is it natural for floaters to get slightly worse as you age? And, will surgery do me more harm than good if I have only the thinning aspects of lattice degeneration, without holes etc?

Thank you for your help.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

If you are not having flashes, floaters, loss of peripheral viison then consider postponing the surgery. About 7-8% of the population has lattice. I have lattice and I am more myopic than you and I have never had it treated.

While there is not complete agreement among experts on exactly who needs treatment there is universal agreement that the great number of lattice patients do not need treatment.

In a situation such as yours it is certainly possible that the search for hard currency may be a factor. At a very minimum get a second opinion.

Floaters do get more common as your get older. At your age about 25% of people have floaters.

Even lattice with holes does not require surgery in most cases especially if they are so called round, small atrophic holes.

JCH III MD
USA

[Travis1981]

Thankyou for your quick response, it has eased my mind. I do have floaters but have never experienced any other visual problems. I will search for another clinic and have a second opinion. Thank you.