retinal peripheri--extensive areas of lattice degeneration

[sutapadatta]

eye surgeon has prescribed urgent prophylactic retinal cryopexy BE. after he observed retinal peripheri--extensive areas of lattice degeneration.
my parameters are
distance RE  +.50 Dsph / +.25Dcyl @135-------6/6
               LE +1.00Dsph...............................6/6
for near vision, add +2.50Dsph to BE...............N6
We understand that above surgical intervention is not a very major and requires no hospitalisation.

is it really necessary to undergo this surgery. if not done is there a risk of retinal detachment?
can medicines help in this case?

[sutapadatta]

Dr Oyakawa,

Thanks for your prompt reply.  My daughter, a software engineer from India, was working in Torrance, for few months ,with Toyota Financial services.

Since prophylactic retinal cryopexy BE is not necessary in my case, what line of treatment and medication would you suggest (please suggest generic names as we are from India).
I would be highly thankful if you explain is layman's terms the exact meaning of  "prophylactic retinal cryopexy".

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Lattice degeneration without tears does not require treatment in most cases.  Retinal tears leading to detachment can occur in the normal areas of the retina not treated.  Risk of complications are about 5%.   Risk of detachment from lattice alone is much less than 0.5%

Dr. O.