Other Conditions
The retinal specialists at Retina Associates of Utah are skilled and experienced in the treatment of multiple health concerns affecting the retina, macula, vitreous, and optic nerve.
Lattice Degeneration
Lattice degeneration targets the peripheral edges of the retina. This condition causes the tissue to thin and form a lattice-like pattern. No prevention or cure exists, and treatment is usually unnecessary, but lattice degeneration can make the retina more susceptible to tears, holes, and detachment. If needed, certain procedures may repair damage and prevent additional vision loss. As warning signs may not be apparent, regular dilated eye exams are crucial.
Lattice degeneration is a common condition, affecting about 8-10% of the general population. While its exact cause is unknown, research suggests it may be associated with low or inadequate blood flow to the eyes. If it occurs in one eye, you’re more likely to develop it in the other. This condition is often found in nearsighted patients, as well as those who have a family history of it, although it is not necessarily inherited from parents to children. Lattice degeneration may also develop in rare conditions impacting eye and vision health, including Stickler syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos, and Marfan syndrome.
Lattice degeneration has no symptoms, but rarely, it develops into more serious retinal tears or detachment, requiring immediate medical attention. About 20-30% of patients with a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment have lattice degeneration. However, the vast majority of patients with lattice degeneration do not develop retinal detachment.
Should detachment symptoms occur, they may include blurred vision, eye floaters, flashing lights, a curtain obscuring your peripheral visual field, and problems with general vision quality. As lattice degeneration itself does not cause symptoms, it is typically only detected and diagnosed during an annual dilated eye examination performed by an ophthalmologist.
During the exam, special eye drops will be administered in the eyes to expand the pupil, providing an unobstructed view of the retina and back of the eye. Your vision will be blurry for several hours afterward. They’ll also use a headlight and a special lens to perform the exam. Imaging tests are not usually needed, although a retinal examination and wide-angle retinal photographs may assist in monitoring. Scleral depression, in which slight pressure is exerted around your eye, may also be used.
Retinoschisis
Retinoschisis is a rare condition in which your retina splits, typically at the center, although it can also occur on the peripheral edges. It can be serious, leading to vision problems and retinal detachment. Retinoschisis can also be mistaken for retinal detachment. This disorder has two different forms:
- Congenital X-linked, or juvenile retinoschisis – a genetic condition that develops in male infants, boys, and young men.
- Degenerative, or acquired retinoschisis – an age-related condition that affects men and women.
Juvenile retinoschisis affects one in 5,000-25,000 people, and it almost always develops in male infants, boys, and young men. Women may be affected, but they typically keep their normal vision. There is no known cause, and the only risk factor is heredity. A lifelong condition, vision may stabilize later in a patient’s life, although it often worsens in late adulthood. Patients with retinoschisis require periodic eye examinations.
Most often, degenerative retinoschisis develops in men and women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s, although it may occur in younger patients. It targets an estimated 1-4% of patients over age 50. No specific cause is known, although your risks increase with age, especially after the age of 40.
With juvenile retinoschisis, there may be no symptoms, but should they occur, the most common is central or peripheral vision loss. Other symptoms include:
- Cataracts
- Strabismus, or crossed eyes
- Nystagmus, or abnormal eye movements
- Amblyopia, or lazy eye
- Farsightedness
Among potential juvenile retinoschisis complications are vitreous hemorrhaging (heavy bleeding), retinal detachment, and total blindness.
With juvenile retinoschisis, there may be no symptoms, but should they occur, the most common is central or peripheral vision loss. Other symptoms include:
- Cataracts
- Strabismus, or crossed eyes
- Nystagmus, or abnormal eye movements
- Amblyopia, or lazy eye
- Farsightedness
Among potential juvenile retinoschisis complications are vitreous hemorrhaging (heavy bleeding), retinal detachment, and total blindness.
Degenerative retinoschisis may have no symptoms. But should your condition worsen, the following symptoms may occur:
- Eye floaters and flashers
- Distorted images
- Central or peripheral vision loss (depending on where the split occurs)
You may notice the symptoms above if you develop retinal detachment. Retinoschisis patients are more susceptible to retinal detachment, a very serious condition requiring immediate surgery. As such, it is important to have regular annual dilated eye exams.
Peripheral retinoschisis is very similar to retinal detachment, and the two conditions are often mistaken for each other. Therefore, retinal specialists must conduct a very careful examination for an accurate diagnosis. The distinction between the two conditions is vital, as retinal detachment requires immediate surgical intervention to prevent vision loss, while peripheral retinoschisis does not.
Uveitis
Uveitis involves inflammation affecting the healthy tissue inside the uveal layer, which is the eye’s middle layer between the retina and the sclera (the white part of the eye). Over time, uveitis may lead to eye damage or vision loss. Fortunately, an early diagnosis boosts your chances of preserving your vision.
There are four different uveitis subtypes, each defined by the inflammation location:
- Anterior uveitis, which occurs in the front portion of the eye and commonly affects the iris
- Intermediate uveitis, which affects the peripheral retina, vitreous humor, and ciliary body
- Posterior uveitis, which affects the back portion of the eye, including the choroid
- Panuveitis, in which the entire uveal layer is affected
Uveitis is closely associated with immunity issues and typically develops as a response to disease, infection, injury, or toxins. Generally, there is no specific cause of uveitis, although its risk factors may include:
- Previous eye damage or injuries
- Complications from eye surgery
- Underlying autoimmune illnesses
- Bacterial, parasitic, and viral eye infections
- Inflammatory disorders
- Family history
- Smoking
Uveitis patients can develop symptoms gradually or quickly, in one or two eyes, and they may occur once or in stages. With uveitis, your vision may be permanently affected, making it vital to tell your ophthalmologist as soon as these symptoms appear:
- Eye redness
- Floaters
- Blurriness
- Eye pain
- Light sensitivity
- Decreased vision or loss
Schedule a Consultation for Retinal Conditions in Utah
At Retina Associates of Utah, our team of board-certified physicians possesses the specialized experience and knowledge necessary to diagnose and treat Retinal Conditions. Contact us today for more information or to schedule a consultation at one of our locations throughout the Intermountain West, including Provo, Salt Lake, and Logan.