AXIAL MYOPIA IS AN EXTREMELY SIGNIFICANT RISK FACTOR FOR YOUNG-AGED PSEUDOPHAKIC RETINAL DETACHMENT IN TAIWAN

In Brief Purpose: To investigate the possible risk factors of retinal detachment (RD) after cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation in a geographic defined racially uniform population. Methods: Submitted claim records and charts of 9398 insurance beneficiaries who underwent cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation between August 1999 and December 2001 were consecutively collected from the Bureau of National Health Insurance (BNHI). At the end of 2003, any ophthalmologic diagnosis and related treatment based on procedure and diagnosis codes listed in physician bills were evaluated. Results: The cumulative risk of RD in our study group was 0.76% at the end of follow-up. The mean follow-up time was 36.92 ± 8.89 months. Sex distribution had no significant effect on the occurrence of RD after cataract extraction, whereas age distribution showed significant influence on the risk of RD after cataract surgery (P = 0.0307), as did the history of RD (P < 0.0001) and Nd-YAG laser posterior capsulotomy (P = 0.0001). Axial length also had a significant effect on the risk of RD after cataract extraction (P < 0.0001). The longer the axial length, the more impact on the risk of RD carried by young age. Conclusions: The results showed that axial myopia is an extremely significant risk factor for young-aged pseudophakic RD in Taiwan. An analysis of a large sample of insurance beneficiaries who underwent cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation showed that age, axial length, Nd-YAG laser posterior capsulotomy, and history of retinal detachment (RD) have significant effects on the development of RD after cataract extraction. Both age and axial length showed significant multiplication interaction.