2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
12 Retina and Vitreous
Part II: Disorders of the Retina and Vitreous
Chapter 16: Retinal Detachment and Predisposing Lesions
Prophylactic Treatment of Retinal Breaks
Lattice Degeneration
Although only limited data are available, an 11-year follow-up study of patients with untreated lattice degeneration and no symptomatic tears showed that retinal detachment occurred in approximately 1% of cases. Thus, the presence of lattice, with or without atrophic holes, generally does not require prophylaxis in the absence of other risk factors or symptoms. If lattice degeneration is present in a patient with additional risk factors, such as retinal detachment in the fellow eye, flap tears, pseudophakia, or aphakia, then prophylactic treatment can be considered.
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Byer NE. Long-term natural history of lattice degeneration of the retina. Ophthalmology. 1989;96(9):1396–1401.
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Wilkinson CP. Interventions for asymptomatic retinal breaks and lattice degeneration for preventing retinal detachment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(9):CD003170.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 10 - Glaucoma. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.