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High myopia with lattice degeneration, a question about possible future
So I am 23 years old and have quite high myopia (OS: -10; OD: -8) and was diagnosed with lattice degeneration near my 20th birthday 3 years ago. Since about two months (or even more can't remember exactly) I have been having flashes in my left eye. I went to my eye MD, which found out during examining my dilated eye that I have leaking, atrophic hole on the periphery of my retina in my left eye. He referred me to retina specialist which has done laser retinopexy just today few hours ago and sealed all the holes that I had in my left eye. The doctor was symphatetic and literally said: "Let's get this done and be over with" - the whole procedure took about 5 minutes. I have booked checkup in 3 weeks to see how the weakend area of my retina is healing in that eye. So here are my questions:
1. How likely am I to retain good vision to the day I die - by the phrase "good vision" I mean not being visually impaired to the level I won't be able to drive a car, work etc. At least not going BLIND.
2. Is lattice degeneration a serious condition? My doctor didn't treat it like it's a big deal, he said I'm his fifth patient today for laser retinopexy and he had another three patients to go after I left his office.
3. Will my retina in my left eye be as strong as in the previous state before "leaking atrophic hole" has manifested itself. By that I mean is there a chance that my retina will be as stable as in the past after it has fully healed. I am only 23 years old and I am worried that because I had to do this procedure so young the future of my vision in my left eye will follow Murphy's law (I know this may sound dumb) and it will only get worse.
4. How many laser retinopexies can I have provided that in worst case the events will follow Murphy's law and the leaking holes will happen each year at least in my left eye.
5. The only factor that could contribute to formation of this hole that I can think of is heavy weightlifting. I have been doing heavy compound lifts for a period of like 8-10 weeks as a part of strength training program where I was pulling 300 lbs from the ground for a few reps to a degree I thought I would pass out. I asked if this was the case and the 2 doctors (the one which discovered my atrophic hole in retina and the second, which has done the laser retinopexy) I have been to weren't exactly sure (they didn't say yes and they didn't say no). What's your opinion on this? I know it's impossible to tell exactly what caused it but I want to know if it could contribute. Should I just stop weightlifting or reduce the amount of weight I put on the bar.
Thank you in advance for your answers. I am sorry this question is so long as a book but I wanted to provide as many important information as I could.
1. How likely am I to retain good vision to the day I die - by the phrase "good vision" I mean not being visually impaired to the level I won't be able to drive a car, work etc. At least not going BLIND.
2. Is lattice degeneration a serious condition? My doctor didn't treat it like it's a big deal, he said I'm his fifth patient today for laser retinopexy and he had another three patients to go after I left his office.
3. Will my retina in my left eye be as strong as in the previous state before "leaking atrophic hole" has manifested itself. By that I mean is there a chance that my retina will be as stable as in the past after it has fully healed. I am only 23 years old and I am worried that because I had to do this procedure so young the future of my vision in my left eye will follow Murphy's law (I know this may sound dumb) and it will only get worse.
4. How many laser retinopexies can I have provided that in worst case the events will follow Murphy's law and the leaking holes will happen each year at least in my left eye.
5. The only factor that could contribute to formation of this hole that I can think of is heavy weightlifting. I have been doing heavy compound lifts for a period of like 8-10 weeks as a part of strength training program where I was pulling 300 lbs from the ground for a few reps to a degree I thought I would pass out. I asked if this was the case and the 2 doctors (the one which discovered my atrophic hole in retina and the second, which has done the laser retinopexy) I have been to weren't exactly sure (they didn't say yes and they didn't say no). What's your opinion on this? I know it's impossible to tell exactly what caused it but I want to know if it could contribute. Should I just stop weightlifting or reduce the amount of weight I put on the bar.
Thank you in advance for your answers. I am sorry this question is so long as a book but I wanted to provide as many important information as I could.
1. If you continue to see an ophthalmologist yearly and follow up with the retina ophthalmologist whenever he/she recommends you have about a 99.5% chance of dying with good vision if you live a normal lifetime. This also takes into account living a healthy lifestyle: exercise, good diet, not smoking tobacco or marijuanna, not alcoholic, no opioids/narcotics, etc.
2. Lattice is NOT a big deal. It's found in 6-8% of the population depending on how hard you look for it. I have lattice in both eyes and have never had a problem. It is higher % in myopes
3. Lattice does not occur in central vision. It generally does not progress. The treated areas are STRONGER after treatment than before. no cause for concern
4. Hopefully you will only have to have the one already done. Some diabetics have scores of laser treatments. Again not worth worrying about.
5. Heavy weight lifting does NOT cause lattice. However it is possible for a person with high myopia and severe lattice to cause a tear within the lattice by lifting to muscle failure. You will need to ask your retina MD about continuing to do power lifting. I personally don't think it a good idea, neither are contact sports, if you must do contact sports proper eye protection is a must. Avoid carnival type rides that whip and jerk your head about.
Compared to a lot of people that post here your problems do not have grim prognosis.
2. Lattice is NOT a big deal. It's found in 6-8% of the population depending on how hard you look for it. I have lattice in both eyes and have never had a problem. It is higher % in myopes
3. Lattice does not occur in central vision. It generally does not progress. The treated areas are STRONGER after treatment than before. no cause for concern
4. Hopefully you will only have to have the one already done. Some diabetics have scores of laser treatments. Again not worth worrying about.
5. Heavy weight lifting does NOT cause lattice. However it is possible for a person with high myopia and severe lattice to cause a tear within the lattice by lifting to muscle failure. You will need to ask your retina MD about continuing to do power lifting. I personally don't think it a good idea, neither are contact sports, if you must do contact sports proper eye protection is a must. Avoid carnival type rides that whip and jerk your head about.
Compared to a lot of people that post here your problems do not have grim prognosis.
2 Comments
Thank you doctor! You really eased my mind. I have all the information I need and will just move on with my life and continue with routine checkups. You really are special and one of a kind - I haven’t yet come across someone so dedicated and having such wisdom. I know this isn’t much but I just wanted to say Thank you. People like you Doctor are a gift to mankind!
Thanks Harry097. Happy to help. JHagan MD
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