Lattice degeneration is most commonly seen in patients with which ocular factor?

• A. High refractive error (high prescription)
• B. Diabetes
• C. Hypertension
• D. Advanced age

Answer: (A)

Lattice degeneration is a thinning of the peripheral retina that occurs most often in eyes with high myopia. The axial elongation that comes with high refractive error places mechanical stress on the peripheral retina, leading to lattice-pattern thinning and a higher risk of breaks or tears. That’s why high refractive error best explains this finding. Diabetes and hypertension affect the retina through vascular changes (diabetic or hypertensive retinopathy) rather than this peripheral thinning pattern, and while aging can bring various retinal changes, lattice degeneration is not primarily driven by age.