The effect of age on phenotype of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Background: To evaluate the influence of age on the clinical characteristics of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRD). Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of a prospectively collected dataset. Data regarding adult patients (aged 16–100 years) who had undergone primary RRD repair, were extracted from two online databases. Baseline demographics, preoperative clinical characteristics and surgical management details were collected. Age-based groups (16–30, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70–79, ≥80) were compared using univariate analysis, with multivariate testing for interaction of age with sex, laterality and pseudophakia. Results: In total, 8,133 eyes were analysed, of which the majority (59%) were in the 50–69 age-range peaking at 60, with a male predominance (64%). Myopia was significantly more frequent in patients aged 95%. Foveal involvement, grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy, total RD and greater RD extent were more common and progressively increased after 60 years, with worsening visual acuity. Isolated superior RRDs became more prevalent with age reaching a plateau in the age-range 50–69, before reducing again; conversely, isolated inferior RRDs were commoner in those <30, with a minimum in the 70–79 age-range. The incidence of fellow-eye RRD decreased linearly with age. Conclusions: Age appeared a key variable in RRD phenotype influencing a wide range of RRD characteristics. The higher incidence of myopia, PVD absent and bilateral RRD in patients <40 years and the significant phenotypical differences in the under 40 and over 50 age-groups highlight that there are several discrete forms of RRD

The effect of sex and laterality on the phenotype of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Background: To assess the effect of sex and laterality on clinical features of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Method: This study is a retrospective analysis of data prospectively collected. We extracted data from two online datasets over a 7-year period of patients older than 16 years who had undergone surgery for primary RRD. Data on baseline characteristics were analyzed to compare males versus females, and right versus left eyes. Results: Of 8133 eyes analyzed, 4342 (53.4%) were right. The overall male predominance (63.7%) was more marked in the age range 50–69 years. Men were more commonly pseudophakic and presented more frequently with baseline posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). Female sex was significantly associated with baseline myopia, retinal holes as causative retinal break, and isolated inferior RD. Men had more frequent foveal involvement, greater RRD extent, greater numbers and larger sized retinal tears including dialysis and giant retinal tears. Regarding laterality, foveal involvement, larger retinal breaks, isolated temporal RD and temporal retinal breaks were more common in right eyes, whereas left eyes were more myopic at baseline and presented more frequently with isolated nasal RD and nasal retinal breaks. Conclusions: This study confirmed the predominance of male sex and right laterality in RRD. Sex and laterality were associated with multiple presenting features of RRD including extent, break distribution, number, size and type, as well as RD distribution.</p