Purpose:
To evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in a defined urban population in the Southeast of Brazil.
Methods:
A prospective study of patients consulted at the Department of Ophthalmology, State University of Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil, with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. This institution provides exclusive public resources for treatment, funded by government health care system (SUS). The regional health of Campinas covers 3.836.209 people of forty-two cities, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics 2010 Census. The location is shown in figure 1.We include all patients who had first seen at the Department of Ophthalmology of State University of Campinas in the period of four consecutive months, from July 2011 to October 2011 presenting rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Other types of detachment were excluded. Data were entered into the program SPSS.
Results:
It is estimated that sixty-five percent of total local 3.836.209 people depends on this institution for treatment of retinal diseases. During the period of four consecutive months, a total of 79 patients fitted the inclusion criteria. The overall demand incidence of retinal detachment was 9.5/100.000/year. The ages ranged from 14 to 82 years old (mean 54). The female-to-male ratio was 0.88. The pseudophakic-to-phakic ratio was 0.52. Regarding the type of surgery performed, scleral buckle-posterior vitrectomy ratio was 0.4.
Conclusions:
The demand incidence of retinal detachment in Campinas, Brazil is consistent with different sources. The age-specific demand incidence increases with age. Such data are important to plan and implement vitreoretinal services taking into account the population likely to be served.
Keywords: retinal detachment • vitreoretinal surgery