Some advice regarding Lattice Degeneration

Hello. I am a 55 year male in great health...or so I thought until recently. While visiting my parents in NY last week, I was fortunate enough to take action on a gut feeling that something was not quite right about my left eye. The day after getting there, I noticed wispy dark fluid floating around my left eye. I immediately sought out a local doctor. The Opthamologist said I had a retinal tear, performed laser eye surgery to repair  it, and advised I see a Retina Specialist before returning home. I was in shock...how could this happen to me?

I have never had any eye problems. Even during the two visits with the specialists in NY, my vision was still 20/20. The Retinal Specialist did more laser surgery so as to prevent a RD. He diagnosed me with Lattice Degeneration. Now upon my return home, I am under the care of a Retina Specialist referred to me by the NY RS.

My main question is this:
Having physical exams every year, I also had a routine eye exam with an "Optometrist" two years ago, This included a DILATED EYE EXAM. How could this Optometrist have not noticed the Lattice Degeneration? I can't help but feel that I might have been able to monitor/treat any Retina Holes before tearing! Instead I was only told that I had very healthy eyes, and "we'll see you in two years."

Now that I am researching as much as I can regarding this matter on line, my other question is: Is it possible that I did not have the degeneration 2 years ago? My gut feeling is that it existed in my eyes at the time of the examination. Can it form that quickly (within 2 years of my exam).

I sincerely appreciate your answers and your time regarding my questions. Thank you so very much! Guy

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear GuyR,

Lattice degeneration is a weak area of the retina.  Even if you did have lattice previously, treatment is not required unless you have holes or tears with traction or symptoms.  Continue to resume the care with an eyeMD specializing in retina.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

[GuyR]

Hello Dr. Feldman,

Thank you kindly for your reply/input. I am closely monitoring the repaired Retinal tear. Unfortunately, some Vitreous fluid that leaked in sometime during the tear is now trapped under the repair, and my doctor is concerned of a detachment because of it.

In my post that you had replied to, I was actually trying to ask/convey the following question:
Would an Optometrist not see signs of Lattice Degeneration in my routine eye check up just two years ago? It was a dilated exam, and he said my eyes were perfect (as they always have been in the past). If I would have known about this existing condition 2 years ago, then he could have advised me to see a Retina Specialist immediately. This way I could repair any holes that would start to form due to this condition.

Even though I now have a Retina specialist here in town, I still am exploring all my possibilities to learn more, and get other opinions. This is all so new to me, and I must say it can leave one feeling very "insecure" with this possible ticking time bomb -- RD!

Thank you kindly for your time.
Very best - Guy

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear GuyR,

I would speak with your retinal specialist.  Not all holes associated with lattice degeneration require treatment so although knowing you have lattice degeneration might be helpful, it does not always require treatment of evaluation by a retinal specialist.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California