Purpose

To assess chosen epidemiological features (risk factors) of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in young patients.

Material and methods

Retrospective evaluation of patients aged up to 18 years with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment hospitalized in the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Medical Sciences of Bydgoszcz – in the period between 1993-2003. Studied group comprised 37 patients aged from 2 to 18 years. Excluded were the patients with retinopathy of prematurity.

Results

Mean age in the group studied was 12,6 (SD=3,6) years, over 80% were male. In 88,9% at least one risk factor was found – the most common of which was history of trauma (52,7%). Myopia was diagnosed in 27,7% of cases, in 8,3% patients cataract surgery had been performed prior to retinal detachment. In 8,3% of patients in group studied revealed congenital structural abnormalities. One patient (2,8%) had toxocariasis. Bilateral retinal detachment occurred also in one patient. The macula was detached in 75% and total retinal detachment was present in 38,8% of cases.

Conclusions

The most common risk factor in the group studied was history of nonsurgical trauma. Prevalence of macular detachment was noted.