I have been looking in to getting Vision Correction. I recently visited one Dr to get my initial review. I did not get a good feeling from the place, but they did tell me that I have lattice degradation, but still told me that I am a good canidate for Custom Lasik. I did some reasearch and some of what I can find states that I am not a good person for Lasik. If I have lattice degradation am I canidite for lasik?

At this Dr. I just felt I was trying to be sold an additional procedure to prevent my lattice degradation.

For the lattice degradation they told me that dont have any holes yet, but there are some weak spots they want to treat with some other laser.

Any information you can provide me on lattice degradation and lasik would help me choose if I will get the surgery.

Lattice degeneration means your retina is not healthy, is thinning, and either has or probably will soon have small holes that will reduce overall vision quality. Lattice degeneration is commonly a contraindication for most refractive surgery procedures; however each individual's circumstances are unique.

A myopic (nearsighted, shortsighted) eye is elongated and this causes stress on the retina. Thinning of the retina is additional stress. The process of refractive surgery is even more stress, but is elective.

The use of an argon laser to cauterize holes in the retina is a common technique to stabilize the problem, however nothing will "cure" the hole, the cauterization, or the lattice degeneration. This laser treatment is to resolve a problem and should be undoubtedly be done if considered appropriate by your ophthalmologist.

We have an article on lattice degeneration and Lasik at http://www.usaeyes.org/faq/subjects/lasik-lattice-degeneration.htm

I highly recommend that you seek the evaluation of a vitreoretinal specialist for care of your lattice degeneration and before any elective eye surgery.

Glenn Hagele
CRSQA
http://www.USAEyes.org

I am not a doctor.