Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Risk After Cataract Surgery Highest in Younger Men

Risk factors for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) after cataract surgery include male sex and younger age, according to findings presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2022 annual meeting, held in Chicago from September 30 to October 3.

Researchers conducted a retrospective study using data from the Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) Registry to assess the 1-year incidence of RRD after cataract surgery. Eligible participants were at least 40 years of age and scheduled to undergo cataract surgery. The researchers used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the association of demographic, comorbidity, and intraoperative factors on the risk of postoperative RRD. 

The study found that 6690 (0.21%) of the 3,177,195 eyes included in the study developed RRD, with increased risk in men (P <.05), younger ages (P <.05), and eyes with lattice degeneration (P <.05), as well as eyes with hypermature cataract (P <.5), posterior vitreous detachment (P <.05), and high myopia (P <.05). 

“These data may help guide the informed consent process and identify patients at higher risk for RRD,” according to the researchers.