Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in Taiwan

To estimate the incidence and clinical characteristics of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in Taiwan.This was a nationwide, population-based retrospective study of patients with RRD. Data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (2000-2012), which represents 4% of the total population in Taiwan, were analysed. The incidence of RRD and its associations with age, gender and high myopia were analysed.A total of 2359 patients with RRD (1336 men and 1023 women) were identified from 2000-2012. The age-standardised incidence rate of RRD over the 13-year period was 16.40±1.06 per 10(5) person-years (18.89 and 13.93 for men and women, respectively, p<0.0001) and an average age of 47.76±0.67 years. The incidence in both genders had an obvious peak at 50-69 years of age, and a secondary peak at 20-29 years in women. Concomitant high myopia was noted in 10.51% of the patients, with an average of 39.72±1.95 years. Prior cataract extraction was noted in 11.06% of the patients, including 17.64% in the patients RRD aged ≥50 years and 4.04% in those younger than 50 years. The average age of the patients with pseudophakic or aphakic RRD was 61.85±1.60 years.The annual incidence of RRD in Taiwan is comparable to most Western countries, with a relatively younger mean age. The male patients were more susceptible to retinal detachment in almost all age groups. Retinal detachment in patients with high myopia was associated with a younger age at onset.