Objective: To investigate the recent incidence and related risk factors of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) in Chinese people.
Methods: This incidence survey was based on 108 132 persons in Beijing districts, Shanghai, P. R. China. Rhegmatogenous RD patients came from inpatient, outpatient service data and the local health net databank composed of health data of 97.5% of all local residents. A contrast group was set up. The previous population data can be used to estimate the whole and specific incidence of rhegmatogenous RD. Some factors relevant to rhegmatogenous RD incidence were found by comparing the patient group and the contrast group.
Results: In Dec 1996 to Dec 1999, 61 cases with rhegmatogenous RD newly happened. The patients were 29 males and 32 females. The annual incidences of rhegmatogenous RD in these 4 years were 11.3/10(5), 14.1/10(5), 14.1/10(5) and 17.6/10(5) respectively, and the average annual incidence was 14.4/10(5) (95% confidence interval 10.0 - 18.6). There was a high incidence of rhegmatogenous RD in persons older than 40 years, especially between 40 and 59. When compared with the contrast group, the proportion of high myopia (more than -6.00 D) was significantly higher in rhegmatogenous RD patients group (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: The annual incidence of rhegmatogenous RD of local Chinese population in these 4 years is increasing. It is strongly associated with high myopia and age, but not with gender.