Risk Factors Associated With Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Cureus. 2022 Mar 15;14(3):e23201. doi: 10.7759/cureus.23201. eCollection 2022 Mar.

Abstract

Background Even though significant improvements have been made in the field of ophthalmology, retinal detachment is still an ever-increasing issue in both developing and developed countries. The present study evaluated the risk factors of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care center between June 2020 and March 2021. A total of 100 patients diagnosed with RRD were enrolled in the study. Patients with inconclusive diagnoses and multiple comorbidities were excluded from the study. A detailed history was taken, including previous surgery and ocular trauma or infections. A comprehensive ocular examination was conducted by an experienced ophthalmologist, including a dilated fundus examination. The causes and type of RRD were documented. Results In the study, a majority of the patients were males, with a mean age of 37.84 (18.29) years and a range of 5-74 years. The majority of those with total RRD were males, i.e., 37%; however, the difference was statistically insignificant (p=0.476). The study revealed that most of the RRD were diagnosed in patients <45 years of age; however, the difference was not statistically significant (p<0.227). The most frequent cause of RRD was lattice degeneration. While 23% of patients with RRD had a history of ocular trauma, uncomplicated phaco was detected in 17 cases. It was found that patients aged less than 45 years more frequently reported ocular trauma as the cause of RRD (p=0.004). Similarly, the cause of RRD was also significantly associated with the type of RRD (p=0.001). Conclusion The present study concludes that lattice degeneration, ocular trauma, uncomplicated, and complicated phaco are the main predisposing factors associated with RRD. Furthermore, the majority of the patients were males in their late thirties. Age, gender, and eye involvement were not significantly associated with the type of RRD.

Keywords: intraocular surgery; lattice degeneration; ophthalmology; rhegmatogenous retinal detachment; trauma.