[Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in children and youth--chosen epidemiological features].

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.