The cause of lattice degeneration is unknown, but pathology reveals inadequate blood flow resulting in ischemia and fibrosis.

Barrage laser is at times done prophylactically around a hole or tear associated with lattice degeneration in an eye at risk of developing a retinal detachment.

[1] Laser photocoagulation has been shown to reduce risks of retinal detachment in symptomatic lattice degeneration.

[citation needed] There are documented cases wherein retina detached from areas which were otherwise healthy despite being treated previously with laser.

In the overwhelming majority of cases, lattice degeneration has no effect on quality of life.