Lattice degeneration is a disease which affects the retina of the eye, causing the retina to atrophy and become thinner. Although this is not usually a progressive disease, in rare cases lattice degeneration may lead to retinal detachment and temporary or permanent loss of vision. In the United States, up to 10% of the population has this disease. Of those, between 30% and 50% are affected in both eyes. This eye disease is associated with myopia, and the two conditions often appear together. Although multiple theories have been suggested about the cause of this disease, the factors which lead to lattice eye degeneration remain unknown. Diseased eyes have vascular deficiencies, meaning the network of vessels which supplies blood to the retina is underdeveloped. It is not known whether this vascular deficiency is a cause or a symptom of lattice eye degeneration.