Diagnosed with Retinal Problems, follow up thread

[fishmoon]

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Hi,

I've started my med school in the US and yesterday I've been diagnosed with Lattice Degeneration in both of my eyes with several atrophic holes. the specialist has decided to not seal the holes. My grandpa had lattice. No one else in family had it.

From what I have read, these holes can lead to retinal detachment (RD). Once RD had occured, only 40% of people regain their original vision after either of these 2 surgeries: vitrectomy and scleral buckle.

I am concerned in regards to the potential blindness while in med school. It can put my investment of past life and time in jeopardy. I am basically mourning while I should be enjoying the first few days of my med school.

How should I deal with this ....

 

[DoctaFuture]

Really sorry to hear about this. Is there any type of procedure that can prevent any further damage? possibly preventing RD? If you can get it asap and see if you can defer this year. Sorry again. Hopefully everything will be alright fishmoon.

 

[LizzyM]

If you are in medical school, why have you posted here in pre-allo?

Make an appointment to talk with your dean of students. You need some career counseling, some support to deal with the emotional blow, and perhaps a referral to the best specialist for your situation. The med school office of student services or whatever it is called at your school is the best place to get hooked up with some support. If you got this far, they'll do what they can to help you through.

 

[Asya]

I've had retinal detachment in both eyes and both were successfully reversed by a sclero buckle. I have parts of peripheral vision mission in both eyes and lots of floaters, but it doesn't interfere with my daily existence at all. I guess the advice I can give you is just forge on and hope for the best. **** happens, and worrying about it can only make your life worse. Ask your doctor if there's anything you can do to lower your risk and find an ophthalmologist at your school to ask questions if you need another opinion.

 

[LawNonTrad]

People in the premed forum aren't doctors but I think you should get a second opinion. I thought I read somewhere that outcomes can be pretty good though if you get surgery right away after the retina detaches. Maybe not complete restoration of vision but I thought at least most of it. What do I know though.

 

[rainforests]

quote

Hi,

I've started my med school in the US and yesterday I've been diagnosed with Lattice Degeneration in both of my eyes with several atrophic holes. the specialist has decided to not seal the holes. My grandpa had lattice. No one else in family had it.

From what I have read, these holes can lead to retinal detachment (RD). Once RD had occured, only 40% of people regain their original vision after either of these 2 surgeries: vitrectomy and scleral buckle.

I am concerned in regards to the potential blindness while in med school. It can put my investment of past life and time in jeopardy. I am basically mourning while I should be enjoying the first few days of my med school.

How should I deal with this ....

 

[rainforests]

👍

If you are in medical school, why have you posted here in pre-allo?

Make an appointment to talk with your dean of students. You need some career counseling, some support to deal with the emotional blow, and perhaps a referral to the best specialist for your situation. The med school office of student services or whatever it is called at your school is the best place to get hooked up with some support. If you got this far, they'll do what they can to help you through.

 

[willen101383]

Dude. A significant amount of individuals have lattice degeneration. Something like 10 percent....and the number progressing to RD is een smaller. Its really not a huge deal and def. not a reason to be worried.

I HAD A RETINAL DETACHMENT. I have bilateral lattice degeneration and I was one of the rare ones that actually did progress to RD. I didnt know about this until I had the RD....I never had any eye problems 20/20 vision my whole life until my vision started fading one day in dec 08. I had surgery 24 hours later (scleral buckling). It took a few months before I was able to get glasses...and another month or so before I was able to put a contact in that eye. My corrected vision in that eye is 20/20...and not because I had vision loss secondary to the RD...but because the scleral buckle squeezes the eye and increases the focal distance. I have zero eye problems and am fine.

I can understand how having a RD would make you bail out of school maybe that year but it wont be an issue most likely in the long term if you catch it before it hits the macula.

If you are really worried about this go to see your opth. and see if they would consider lasering the weak spots in your lattice degeration. I had my other eye lasered in addition to the RD eye. If you have questions PM me.

 

[willen101383]

OH and FYI 40 percent of those people WHOSE RD PROGRESSES TO INVOLVE THE MACULA regain their original vision. Did i lose some vision? Yeah in the extremeeeeee superior periphery of my vision that I have never noticed unless the doctor tests my field of vision. Honestly even if i did lose vision in that eye it wouldnt be bad because my brain shuts that "bad" eye down if I dont put a contact in it.

If you start seeing issues bust your ass to the opth. stat. This is seriously not even anything to worry about.

 

[rainforests]

I think the OP needs to see a specialist or couselor like aforementioned by Lizzy.

It might have nothing to do with Macula.

OH and FYI 40 percent of those people WHOSE RD PROGRESSES TO INVOLVE THE MACULA regain their original vision. Did i lose some vision? Yeah in the extremeeeeee superior periphery of my vision that I have never noticed unless the doctor tests my field of vision. Honestly even if i did lose vision in that eye it wouldnt be bad because my brain shuts that "bad" eye down if I dont put a contact in it.

If you start seeing issues bust your ass to the opth. stat. This is seriously not even anything to worry about.

 

[willen101383]

I think the OP needs to see a specialist or couselor like aforementioned by Lizzy.

It might have nothing to do with Macula.

Of course they do. If he got Dx'd with lattice degeneration it was obviously during a dilated eye exam.

That being said lattice does not equal a RD regardless of whether it affects the macula or not.

Lattice is benign a HUGE amount of the time.

 

[fishmoon]

@ Lizzy: Thank you for your concern. I made a mistake by posting this in pre-allo forum thinking more people visit this site. Mods, please move this thread to its appropriate place.

My concerns with not getting the people from school involved are multifold:

1- I have a fear that them knowing my weakness (i.e. potential to have a detached retina and possibly blindness) will create sub-conscious biases against me because even though I am not disabled, I could potentially be disabled due to this disease.
2- I certainly dont want my class fellows to know of my disease.
3- If the school has knowledge of my weakness, it probably might keep me away from applying to certain residencies? Ophthalmology comes to mind. I understand that its legit to not let me pursue ophthalmology if I am blind because eye sight is a required faculty for this residency but even if I dont become blind, my potential to become blind might sway things against me.
4- The committee at my school might decide that its not worth it for them to let me "delay" one year in case I do get a surgery and would tell me to part ways from them?

It is very probable that some of the above mentioned fears might be unfounded but its only natural for me to have these. I've spent enough of my time and effort to get into med school and I cant let a personal health problem get me "expelled" out of med school or be a deterrent in my education or be the deciding factor of my career. Becoming blind might very well be the deciding factor for my future career though. 🙁

Once again, mods, please move the thread to its appropriate location.

 

[rainforests]

quote

@ Lizzy: Thank you for your concern. I made a mistake by posting this in pre-allo forum thinking more people visit this
site. Mods, please move this thread to its appropriate place.

My concerns with not getting the people from school involved are multifold:

1- I have a fear that them knowing my weakness (i.e. potential to have a detached retina and possibly blindness) will create sub-conscious biases against me because even though I am not disabled, I could potentially be disabled due to this disease.
2- I certainly dont want my class fellows to know of my disease.
3- If the school has knowledge of my weakness, it probably might keep me away from applying to certain residencies?
4- The committee at my school might decide that its not worth it for them to let me "delay" one year in case I do get a surgery and would tell me part ways from them?

It is very probable that some the above mentioned fears might be unfounded but its only natural for me to have these. I've spent enough of my time to get into med school and I cant let a personal health problem get me "expelled" out of med school.

Once again, mods, please move the thread to its appropriate location.

 

[nycfuture2013]

@ Lizzy: Thank you for your concern. I made a mistake by posting this in pre-allo forum thinking more people visit this site. Mods, please move this thread to its appropriate place.

My concerns with not getting the people from school involved are multifold:

1- I have a fear that them knowing my weakness (i.e. potential to have a detached retina and possibly blindness) will create sub-conscious biases against me because even though I am not disabled, I could potentially be disabled due to this disease.
2- I certainly dont want my class fellows to know of my disease.
3- If the school has knowledge of my weakness, it probably might keep me away from applying to certain residencies? Ophthalmology comes to mind. I understand that its legit to not let me pursue ophthalmology if I am blind because eye sight is a required faculty for this residency but even if I dont become blind, my potential to become blind might sway things against me.
4- The committee at my school might decide that its not worth it for them to let me "delay" one year in case I do get a surgery and would tell me to part ways from them?

It is very probable that some of the above mentioned fears might be unfounded but its only natural for me to have these. I've spent enough of my time and effort to get into med school and I cant let a personal health problem get me "expelled" out of med school or be a deterrent in my education or be the deciding factor of my career. Becoming blind might very well be the deciding factor for my future career though. 🙁

Once again, mods, please move the thread to its appropriate location.

You know that the doctors/therapists at your school aren't allowed to tell the administration or your professors any specifics unless you tell them explicitly that they may. That, at least, isn't a worry. 🙂

 

[LizzyM]

You are already acting like a medical studnet: hide your flaws, keep your head down, and try to manage things yourself. It is a set-up for disaster. The counselors in the student services office (and the Dean of Students) are sworn to keep the information that you share confidential. They do not write your evaluations and they don't share what they know with the faculty who do. If you need help dealing with your health and the effect that it may have on your academic performance and your career options, you need to get that help. Please don't retreat into a shell.

 

[fishmoon]

@Lizzy: thank you for your valuable comment.


Since this thread was not moved to allopathic forum, I will be reposting this thread there. I want to get more opinions from medical students on this. If this is against forum rules, I am sorry but it seems no mod had transferred it.

 

[fishmoon]

sorry for posting this again but I want to get more opinions and it seems my thread was buried under other threads in pre-allo section. So here it is.


Hi,

I've started my med school in the US and yesterday I've been diagnosed with Lattice Degeneration in both of my eyes with several atrophic holes. the specialist has decided to not seal the holes. My grandpa had lattice. No one else in family had it.

From what I have read, these holes can lead to retinal detachment (RD). Once RD had occured, only 40% of people regain their original vision after either of these 2 surgeries: vitrectomy and scleral buckle. After reading up on available corrective procedures and the progress in eye research and surgical procedures, I feel that we still have much to do in regards to retinal repair and retinal re-attachment. Touting about LASIK is all good but much research and progress needs to be done to help patients like myself and those with even severe retinal problems from preventing the most invaluable gift the most of us have: vision.

I am concerned in regards to the potential blindness while in med school. It can put my investment of past life and time in jeopardy. I am basically mourning while I should be enjoying the first few days of my med school.

How should I deal with this ....

@ Lizzy: Thank you for your concern. I made a mistake by posting this in pre-allo forum thinking more people visit this site. Mods, please move this thread to its appropriate place.

My concerns with not getting the people from school involved are multifold:

1- I have a fear that them knowing my weakness (i.e. potential to have a detached retina and possibly blindness) will create sub-conscious biases against me because even though I am not disabled, I could potentially be disabled due to this disease.
2- I certainly dont want my class fellows to know of my disease.
3- If the school has knowledge of my weakness, it probably might keep me away from applying to certain residencies? Ophthalmology comes to mind. I understand that its legit to not let me pursue ophthalmology if I am blind because eye sight is a required faculty for this residency but even if I dont become blind, my potential to become blind might sway things against me.
4- The committee at my school might decide that its not worth it for them to let me "delay" one year in case I do get a surgery and would tell me to part ways from them?

It is very probable that some of the above mentioned fears might be unfounded but its only natural for me to have these. I've spent enough of my time and effort to get into med school and I cant let a personal health problem get me "expelled" out of med school or be a deterrent in my education or be the deciding factor of my career. Becoming blind might very well be the deciding factor for my future career though.

I would value any suggestions by existing medical students. Other medical students who have lattice or have had RD, if they share their stories, that would be encouraging as well.

 

[MeRLin443]

Maybe you'll see things through, maybe you won't. Don't lose sight of your priorities- make sure to keep your eye on the prize!

 

[Mr hawkings]

Maybe you'll see things through, maybe you won't. Don't lose sight of your priorities- make sure to keep your eye on the prize!

Dude. Seriously, what the ****?

 

[deleted263296]

If you talked with your dean, I don't think he/she would share your personal medical information with anyone, including residencies or your classmates. I doubt your dean would discourage you from continuing to become a doctor

 

[MeRLin443]

Dude. Seriously, what the ****?

I'll try to keep a lid on it- don't want to make a spectacle.

 

[mjscal]

Lattice degeneration is quite common with an incidence of around 6%. A longitudinal study showed a 1% risk of a retinal detachment. Generally one does not treat lattice as the risk of a problem is quite low. One almost never treats an asymptomatic eye. Laser photocoagulation is considered in eyes with symptoms, flap tears, high myopia, and when fellow eyes have a detachment.
Treatment of a retinal detachment can involve all sorts of procedures including laser, cryo, gas,silicon oil,buckle,vitrectomy etc.
If your ophthalmologist was in general practice you may wish to get a second opinion from a retinal subspecialist.
I think your fears are mostly unfounded. Risks for significant loss of vision are low. Many of your fellow medical students have similar risks with lattice or other medical conditions or family risk factors that have the same or worse possible consequences. Having lattice degeneration will not prevent you from getting an ophthalmology residency. Medical schools are very supportive of medical students who develop health issues.

 

[fistfulofmetal]

I'm still keeping a eye on your GAF

 

[Laryngophed]

I'll try to keep a lid on it- don't want to make a spectacle.

I'm still keeping a eye on your GAF

Way to be constructive. If you're going to be a tool, don't post at all.

 

[ACSurgeon]

sorry for posting this again but I want to get more opinions and it seems my thread was buried under other threads in pre-allo section. So here it is.


Hi,

I've started my med school in the US and yesterday I've been diagnosed with Lattice Degeneration in both of my eyes with several atrophic holes. the specialist has decided to not seal the holes. My grandpa had lattice. No one else in family had it.

From what I have read, these holes can lead to retinal detachment (RD). Once RD had occured, only 40% of people regain their original vision after either of these 2 surgeries: vitrectomy and scleral buckle. After reading up on available corrective procedures and the progress in eye research and surgical procedures, I feel that we still have much to do in regards to retinal repair and retinal re-attachment. Touting about LASIK is all good but much research and progress needs to be done to help patients like myself and those with even severe retinal problems from preventing the most invaluable gift the most of us have: vision.

I am concerned in regards to the potential blindness while in med school. It can put my investment of past life and time in jeopardy. I am basically mourning while I should be enjoying the first few days of my med school.

How should I deal with this ....

@ Lizzy: Thank you for your concern. I made a mistake by posting this in pre-allo forum thinking more people visit this site. Mods, please move this thread to its appropriate place.

My concerns with not getting the people from school involved are multifold:

1- I have a fear that them knowing my weakness (i.e. potential to have a detached retina and possibly blindness) will create sub-conscious biases against me because even though I am not disabled, I could potentially be disabled due to this disease.
2- I certainly dont want my class fellows to know of my disease.
3- If the school has knowledge of my weakness, it probably might keep me away from applying to certain residencies? Ophthalmology comes to mind. I understand that its legit to not let me pursue ophthalmology if I am blind because eye sight is a required faculty for this residency but even if I dont become blind, my potential to become blind might sway things against me.
4- The committee at my school might decide that its not worth it for them to let me "delay" one year in case I do get a surgery and would tell me to part ways from them?

It is very probable that some of the above mentioned fears might be unfounded but its only natural for me to have these. I've spent enough of my time and effort to get into med school and I cant let a personal health problem get me "expelled" out of med school or be a deterrent in my education or be the deciding factor of my career. Becoming blind might very well be the deciding factor for my future career though.

I would value any suggestions by existing medical students. Other medical students who have lattice or have had RD, if they share their stories, that would be encouraging as well.

Sorry about your condition. However, you're approaching this all wrong.

1- As a new M1, independent research of medical problems and treatments is NOT your best source of information. Speak to one more ophthalmologists, and get their explanation of risks and benefits to waiting vs. treating. I'm not sure about the 40% statistic you throw out there, but speaking to a professional can give you a more personalized prognosis.

2- Your school MUST know about this problem ASAP. I say this because you might need to miss days for surgery, appointments, etc. Schools are not allowed to discriminate against anyone with a disability, let alone someone without a disability who *might* get one down the road. The last thing you want to do is "deal" with this "personal health problem" on your own until you find yourself struggling to pass (or even not get dismissed) and then disclose that you've been dealing with a medical problem. If you wait until you're failing, then it's not the school discriminating against you, it's you not being proactive.

3- When it comes time to choose a residency, you might have a better idea of where you stand in terms of keeping your vision or not. If you’ve had RD surgery and everything went well, there would be no reason to worry about going blind in the near future (enough to change your specialty choice). If your vision is already declining by the end of your third year, then YOU should make the decision to go into a specialty that won't require excellent eye sight (for your own good - you don't want to go through residency only to not be able to practice).

Congrats on getting accepted, and good luck along the way!

 

[Tryonetic]

Dude you will be fine. I have similar problems; Lattice Degeneration in both eyes and one has an atrophic hole. They are just thinning of your retina and are the results of elongated eyeballs from myopia. A lot of people have them. Keep seeing your eye doctors and follow their advises and you will do fine.

 

[chiz2kul]

Maybe you'll see things through, maybe you won't. Don't lose sight of your priorities- make sure to keep your eye on the prize!

i lol'd...but you're a tool

 

[Miss July]

My program does have us sign a form saying we attest that we are physically capable of performing the duties required by the program. It's meant to ensure patient's safety and that you aren't wasting your money if you can't perform what you're taught. However, you currently are still able to perform all things required by the program, so I don't think it would be an issue. Get a second opinion. It might be very hard or impossible to practice as a blind physician, but don't base your current life on a hypothetical future situation.

 

[deleted263296]

I think you'll be okay.

 

[soniye]

Echoing whats been said, you are worrying way too much. I had the same thing, 360 lattice degeneration in both eyes with multiple holes. You get the prophylactic laser done, it takes all of five minutes, and you're good to go. It is not something med school needs to know about, people who say otherwise don't know anything about the condition. Stop thinking crazily ahead about you becoming blind.

 

[plauto]

Nobody, and I repeat, nobody, has the right to know about your medical conditions. The only exception is your doctor.

 

[azzarah]

Dude I'm an ophthalmology resident and see at least 4-5 patients a day with lattice each and every day. I myself have lattice. You need to take a deep breath. Lattice and myopia put you at a slightly higher risk of developing a retinal tear but most patients don't develop any problems. Chances are it is not going to cause you any problems--EVER. Most ophthalmologist will not do laser for a small patch of lattice with a few atrophic holes that have already sealed off by themselves.

The signs and symptoms of a retinal tear are flashes, new or change in your floaters, curtain or shade coming over your vision, feeling like you are looking through sand or a veil, or a blind spot or visual field defect. If you have any of these symptoms you need to go to an ophthalmologist immediately. Otherwise continue seeing your ophthalmologist regularly.

Sure you are at a higher risk of getting a retinal tear, but chances are you will never have any problems--EVER. Take a deep breath and relax. And maybe consider becoming an ophthalmologist. 🙂

 

[azzarah]

Also there is an ophthalmology forum on here if you have any further questions.....

 

[fishmoon]

Dude I'm an ophthalmology resident and see at least 4-5 patients a day with lattice each and every day. I myself have lattice. You need to take a deep breath. Lattice and myopia put you at a slightly higher risk of developing a retinal tear but most patients don't develop any problems. Chances are it is not going to cause you any problems--EVER. Most ophthalmologist will not do laser for a small patch of lattice with a few atrophic holes that have already sealed off by themselves.

The signs and symptoms of a retinal tear are flashes, new or change in your floaters, curtain or shade coming over your vision, feeling like you are looking through sand or a veil, or a blind spot or visual field defect. If you have any of these symptoms you need to go to an ophthalmologist immediately. Otherwise continue seeing your ophthalmologist regularly.

Sure you are at a higher risk of getting a retinal tear, but chances are you will never have any problems--EVER. Take a deep breath and relax. And maybe consider becoming an ophthalmologist. 🙂

Thank you for such a reassuring reply. I really appreciate you taking time to write it. And I hope you become a great eye specialist.

I did develop new floaters but I dont remember when I developed them. To figure that out, I did go through my personal blog entries where I mentioned them and the earliest mention I found was in Feb 2010. I am sure I had these floaters even at least 2-3 months (very well could be 5-6 months) before that but only in February I became so irritated and aware of them to make a personal blog entry.

Anyways, at that time I did not even fathom this could related to eye problems. I have only seen the opthalmologist now and just now came to know I have lattice. But at least now I know that if I develop new floaters I have to see the specialist right away and not shrug it off as a normal part of aging/debris in the vitreous.

 

[dsh]

You might want to look into long-term disability insurance.

 

[eddie13231]

Thank you for such a reassuring reply. I really appreciate you taking time to write it. And I hope you become a great eye specialist.

I did develop new floaters but I dont remember when I developed them. To figure that out, I did go through my personal blog entries where I mentioned them and the earliest mention I found was in Feb 2010. I am sure I had these floaters even at least 2-3 months (very well could be 5-6 months) before that but only in February I became so irritated and aware of them to make a personal blog entry.

Anyways, at that time I did not even fathom this could related to eye problems. I have only seen the opthalmologist now and just now came to know I have lattice. But at least now I know that if I develop new floaters I have to see the specialist right away and not shrug it off as a normal part of aging/debris in the vitreous.

The thing is man you have no way on controlling what or what doesn't happen to your eyes. I know you are worried, and probably should be, but really...what the hell can you do about it? Just chuck it up to life-it just happens. If you get a RD then deal with it. If you never do then thats fine too. Why worry about something you can't control? I wouldn't tell my school though you never know what they might do.

It seems like this is a common condition but if you have any severe symptoms described as above then see a ophtho/ER ASAP.