Lattice degeneration and risk of retinal detachment questions.

[netterman]

Hi,

I have lattice degeneration and small holes within the lattice degeneration area for both eyes. The doctor say there is a risk that water will go underneath the hole and peel off the retinal to cause retinal detachment. Currently I do see some floaters in indoors and I see more floaters when I am outdoor during daytime. The doctor told me to watch out for symptoms like suddenly many floaters appearing, flashes and something like a black curtain covering the eyes. There is nothing to do now but if it gets worse, my doctor will do laser surgery. I usually go for follow up appointments every 6 months. I was told to avoid activities like jogging, jumping, bungee jumping, bumper cars, roller coaster...

I have frequent headaches and I intend to go for a head MRI, or maybe CT scan.

Q1 Will doing a head MRI or CT scan affect me eye condition or make the condition worse?

Q2 Can I work as a driver driving 12 hours a day? Will my eye condition get worse?

Q3 Is there a risk of both eyes having detachment at the same time when a car accident happens?

Q4 In normal circumstances both retina will not likely to detach at the same time, is that correct?

Q5 If many floaters appeared, or flashes and something like black curtain appear, will these symptoms stay on permanently until I go for surgery or will it go away after some time?

Thanks a lot.

[JohnHaganMD]

netterman
Thanks a lot for the reply. A few more questions.

A) In normal retinal detachment cases only one eye will have retinal detachment at a time, what are the chances and situations that both eyes will have retinal detachment at the same time?  ANSWER: That almost never happens. Quite obsessing.

B) I am a careful driver, but if an accident happens would retinal detachment happen to both eyes at the same time? ANSWER: That almost never happens. Quite obsessing.

C) If another car collided to my car and caused my head to jerk forward and backwards (maybe whiplash), is there a risk of retinal detachment? Do I need to do anything or go for an eye checkup? ANSWER: That almost never happens. Quite obsessing.

D) If the lattice degeneration condition improves or gets fully cured, does that mean that I will need to go for laser sugery for the holes? The doctor said there is nothing to do now because the holes location are inside the lattice degeneration area. I might go for acupuncture to improve lattice degeneration. ANSWER: Lattice doesn't improve or go away. It can get worse. I have lattice in both eyes. So do about 7% of the population. Quite obsessing.

E) What are the ways (food/supplements...) to maintain or improve lattice degeneration? No, mellow.

Thanks. I appreciate your help.
20 hrs Report

[netterman]

I) If I am doing the maximum number of push up to fatigue/failure (pushing myself until I can't do anymore push up), take a 1min break and repeat again for total of 5 sets. Would that be OK?

II) Is it OK to do pull up and plank exercise?

III) How do you determine what is considered as light weight lifting?

Thanks

[JohnHaganMD]

I am not your treating ophthalmologist and I can only generalize. For most people with lattice including myself push ups not problem, pull ups not problem, planks not problem, any weight you can comfortably life 12 times in a row would be considered light for most definitions.

[JohnHaganMD]

You asked many of these questions 3 years ago in August 2013 and the doctor answered. You have apparently gone 3 years without problem.

This is very important. 8% of the population have lattice degeneration. I have lattice degeneration in both eye. Most people never have any problems, most never have retina detachment, most do not need preventive treatment such as laser or freezing treatment (cryotherapy)

Q1: MRI not affect lattice
Q2: Driving a taxi is not a problem for lattice
Q3:  Drive Carefully and don't have an accident. RD following automobile accidents is not common unless there is a direct blow to the eye.
Q4: No and the risk of a RD is generally very small less than 1%
Q5: If you have sudden increase flashes, floaters or loss of peripheral vision you should see an Eye MD ophthalmologist.

Just a suggestion the eye doctor you see every 6 months should be a retina specialist not an optometrist. You clearly don't have a good understanding of what your risks are which are very low. Ask the retina surgeon to explain them to you.  While some patients with lots of lattice might well avoid contact sports and thrill rides at the amusement parks activities like walking, running, jogging, hiking, swimming, light weight lifting, etc are normally just fine.

[netterman]

Thanks a lot for the reply. A few more questions.

A) In normal retinal detachment cases only one eye will have retinal detachment at a time, what are the chances and situations that both eyes will have retinal detachment at the same time?

B) I am a careful driver, but if an accident happens would retinal detachment happen to both eyes at the same time?

C) If another car collided to my car and caused my head to jerk forward and backwards (maybe whiplash), is there a risk of retinal detachment? Do I need to do anything or go for an eye checkup?

D) If the lattice degeneration condition improves or gets fully cured, does that mean that I will need to go for laser sugery for the holes? The doctor said there is nothing to do now because the holes location are inside the lattice degeneration area. I might go for acupuncture to improve lattice degeneration.

E) What are the ways (food/supplements...) to maintain or improve lattice degeneration?

Thanks. I appreciate your help.

[netterman]

Thanks a lot for the reply. A few more questions.

A) In normal retinal detachment cases only one eye will have retinal detachment at a time, what are the chances and situations that both eyes will have retinal detachment at the same time?

B) I am a careful driver, but if an accident happens would retinal detachment happen to both eyes at the same time?

C) If another car collided to my car and caused my head to jerk forward and backwards (maybe whiplash), is there a risk of retinal detachment? Do I need to do anything or go for an eye checkup?

D) If the lattice degeneration condition improves or gets fully cured, does that mean that I will need to go for laser sugery for the holes? The doctor said there is nothing to do now because the holes location are inside the lattice degeneration area. I might go for acupuncture to improve lattice degeneration.

E) What are the ways (food/supplements...) to maintain or improve lattice degeneration?

Thanks. I appreciate your help.