Clinical review of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in Korea – Does seasonal variation exist in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment?

Abstract

AbstractPurpose We investigated demographic and clinical features including seasonal variation of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in Suwon, South Korea.Methods We reviewed medical records of 778 patients who were diagnosed with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment at Ajou university hospital located in Suwon City (Gyeuonggi‐do, South Korea) from February 1995 to December 2013. Incidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment was counted by months and seasons. Demographic and clinical features were also analyzed.Results Total 778 eyes of 778 patients (778 patients; 418 men and 360 women; the mean age, 46.6 ± 17.3 years; range, 10‐85 years) were included in the study. 86.1% (670 eyes) of eyes were phakic and high myopic eyes accounted for 11.6% (90 eyes) of the cases. The cases with single retinal break were 47.9% (373 eyes) and the average count of retinal break was 1.46. 65.8% (512 eyes) of the cases were treated successfully with sclera buckling. Incidence of retinal detachment was not different according to months (p=0.385) and seasons (p=0.090). Comparing the results of warm seasons (spring and summer) and cold seasons (autumn and winter), incidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment did not differ (p=0.071).Conclusion Unlike previous reports in Japan, Middle East and Europe, our study has no correlation with seasons. Previous studies suggested the higher incidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in warm seasons is due to ambient temperature and increased outdoor activity, but summer in Korea is highly humid and hot. Also, it includes long rainy season, so it is not a good season for outdoor activity as other regions. These features may influence the result of our study.