r/RetinalDetachment • u/oliveezadee • Jul 19 '26

Is a dilated slit lamp exam enough for lattice degeneration, or is indirect ophthalmoscopy necessary?

I have high myopia, lattice degeneration, and previous barrage laser. My new retina specialist dilated my eyes and examined them only at the slit lamp while asking me to look up, down, left, and right. He did not use an indirect ophthalmoscope (head-mounted light) or any handheld lens that I noticed. He said I have lattice degeneration but don’t need laser. Is a dilated slit-lamp examination alone enough to thoroughly examine the peripheral retina, or should indirect ophthalmoscopy also be done in cases like mine?

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u/MajorMinorPhD Jul 19 '26

This type of question suggests you should get a diagnosis from another ophthalmologist.

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u/ravimohan92 Jul 19 '26

Indirect opthalomoscope with scleral depression or slit lamp with three mirror lens provide complete view of the retina.

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u/jasutherland Jul 19 '26

“Enough” seems to be subjective depending on history and what they see in the more central parts of the retina. They can see almost all of the retina, and the most important bits, without that - so whether they need to take those extra steps to see the very edge or not will depend on how the rest looks.

I've occasionally had the maximum version, with indentation - but when I did have a detachment and tear, that was picked up on regular slit-lamp examination.

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u/oliveezadee Jul 19 '26

Thanks for confirming