This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Today I learned that I have a retinal detachment via a visit to ophthalmology. This needs surgical fixation very soon. I was told my the op that the type of detachment I have is called a chronic inferior retinal detachment and that it was caused by lattice degeneration, which she says is congenital.

So - I came home and started Googling things and came upon this tidbit of information. (I am getting to my point here and how this ties into CCSVI)

Lattice degeneration is a disease of the eye where peripheral retina becomes atrophic in a lattice pattern and may develop tears / breaks / holes, which may further progress to retinal detachment. It is an important cause of retinal detachment in young myopic individuals. The cause is not known but pathology reveals vascular insufficiency resulting in ischemia and fibrosis.

Coincidence? Am I possibly reading too much into this. Op tells me that my optic nerve looks great for someone with MS and that this detachment is unrelated to my MS. But - she doesn't know about CCSVI either.

Your thoughts?? [/u]

How would the symptoms differ from retinal detachment and optic neuritis? I have alot of floaters, alot of sparkles in my vision. Also in my left eye over the last 6 months i've noticed some very big dark spots at the edge of my vision when I move my eye quickly. Really noticable in the sunlight or in a well lit room with white walls. Much larger then my floaters. I can notice these dark spots with my eyes closed as well.

Hi.

Could it be a coincidence that the first manifestations of MS are related to the eyes for the majority of the patients?

For many, it is part of the brain itself, its "window" to the outside world. Isn't it normal for it to suffer from CCSVI, too?

sou

I have occasional on and off floaters. Bright lights kill me. On and off blurred vision. I DO NOT have optic neuritis. My optic nerve is in good shape.

I have recently blamed my poor vision on my MS. (All intermittent symptoms). When I learned that I had a RD, I was shocked. This is a big surgery and can cause some stress on my MS.

So, the real issue causing this is the LATTICE DEGENERATION and about 8% of the population has it and don't even know it. No symptoms until it has detached the retina.

It could be coincidental - but it would be interesting for all MS'ers to have a op visit to check for Lattice Degeneration. Hmmm.

jilthepil wrote:It could be coincidental - but it would be interesting for all MS'ers to have a op visit to check for Lattice Degeneration. Hmmm.

I hope the surgery to fix it goes well for you.

I have those symptoms but I've got optic neuritis in one eye & pars plenitis (autoimmune eye condition, separate but related to ms) in the other...how can you even tell damage from one condition from the next! I am overdue for an opthalmogist visit though.

vit

I guess with Lattice Degeneration there is a large group of those who have it who do not have MS. I just thought it was interesting stuff, ya know.

In the nutrition world, lack of Vitamin E is connected to retinal detachment

A deficiency of Vitamin E is possibly a factor in a detached retina

http://www.healthy.co.nz/ailment/1055-eye-health.html
(this is a very good comprehensive on nutrients and eye health).
also, the nutrients helpful with macular degeneration would be helpful with detached retina (macula is center of retina)--lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, bilberry, NAC

jilthepil wrote:I guess with Lattice Degeneration there is a large group of those who have it who do not have MS. I just thought it was interesting stuff, ya know.

Everything is fascinating!