RISK OF RETINAL-DETACHMENT IN PATIENTS WITH LATTICE DEGENERATION

To determine the risk of retinal detachment in patients with lattice d egeneration of the retina, we statistically analyzed the incidence of retinal detachment in these patients. The data of hospital patients wi th retinal detachment associated with lattice degeneration in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, in 1990 were collected. The prevalence of lattice degeneration in Kumamoto was reported to be 9.5% in 1980. Based on pop ulation data from the 1990 census, the cumulative incidence of retinal detachment associated with lattice degeneration was calculated in thi s study. Among 1,840,000 residents in Kumamoto, there were 110 patient s with retinal detachment associated with lattice degeneration; 72 wit h detachment resulting from tractional tears (tears), and 38 with deta chment from atrophic holes. The cumulative incidence of retinal detach ment from atrophic holes was 1.5% at the age of 40 years; from tears i t was 3.6% at the age of 80 years. The cumulative incidence of detachm ent from both atrophic holes and tears was 5.3% at the age of 80 years . The results of this study are useful for clarifying the natural cour se of lattice degeneration. Jpn J Ophthalmol 1998;42:308-313 (C) 1998 Japanese Ophthalmological Society.