Doctor--
I have a couple of questions concerning retinal health (understanding and prognosis) as it pertains to my case:
23-year old female
No history of eye injuries/surgeries
Myopic (-6.50 right eye; -7.25 left eye).
No clinical evidence of bacterial or viral infections
Diagnosed with blepharitis 4-5 months ago
Chronic conjunctivitis and eye discharge (usually whitish and stringy, most prominent upon waking up) ever since
Symptoms attributed to allergies, change of season, and seborrheic dermatitis
Some symptomatic relief through daily eye-lid scrubs
As of October of 2010: significant increase in the number of floaters and onset of flashers.
In the past month I've had three retinal examinations.
I'm perplexed by the results which read as follows:
First exam
New floaters, no tears or retinal detachment
Second exam
Floaters (left eye), lattice degeneration (left eye)
Third exam
Tiny holes and retinal thinning in both eyes
Doctor used the term "cottage cheese" to describe the appearance of a finding.
He attributed the findings to myopia and recommended laser treatment.
These three diagnoses confuse me not because I find them inconsistent but because they seem to indicate a rather rapid progression of retinal problems. My questions are:
1. Is it normal for lattice degeneration (or less specifically retinal thinning) to progress in the manner/at the rate it has? Is there a "peak"?
2. My doctor's phrasing-- "cottage cheese appearance"-- had me worried. Could it suggest CMV retinitis? Is my OCULAR immune system compromised?
Considerations about my health:
a. Healthy immune system-- no chemotherapy, no organ transplants, HIV-negative
b. Short course of topical steroid eye-drops aimed at blepharitis
c. History of herpes/recurrent outbreaks
d. Short course of Protopic cream aimed at seborrheic dermatitis
While I prepare for my next consultation with my doctor, I'd appreciate an answer. Thank you very much in advance.