Epidemiology survey of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in Beixinjing District, Shanghai, China

Purpose: To investigate the recent incidence and related risk factors of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in Chinese people. Methods: This study was an incidence survey based on data for 108,132 persons in Beixinjing District, Shanghai, China. Patients with RRD were inpatients, outpatients, and patients from the local health network. Patients with RRD were compared with control subjects who were matched by sex, age, and block of residence. Previous population data were used to estimate the whole and specific incidence of RRD. Some factors relevant to the incidence of RRD were found by comparing the patients with RRD with the control subjects. Results: Between January 1996 and December 1999, 61 cases of RRD occurred. The annual incidence of RRD was 11.3 cases per 100,000 population in 1996, 14.1 cases per 100,000 population in 1997, 14.1 cases per 100,000 population in 1998, and 17.9 cases per 100,000 population in 1999. The average annual incidence was 14.4 cases per 100,000 population (95% confidence interval, 10.0-18.6). There were 29 males and 32 females with RRD. The incidence of RRD among persons older than 40 years was high, especially among those between 40 and 59 years of age. The proportion of individuals with high myopia (more than -6 diopters) was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The annual incidence of RRD among a local Chinese population increased over 4 years. This disease is strongly associated with high myopia and age.