Incidence rate and types of retinal pathologies in patients who were seeking refractive surgery

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate incidence rate and types of retinal pathologies in patients who were seeking refractive surgery and the necessity of preparative eye examination. In this observational case series study, 139 patients, in a 3 months period, who came for refractive surgery in a private clinic, examined by a retinal specialist and the findings was reported. Mean age of patients was 29.2 آ± 6.6 years. From the studied patients: 52.5% (73 patients) were male and 47.5% (66 patients) were female, 25.9% (36 patients) had a retinal pathology at least in one eye. Three patients (2.1%) needed surgery for retinal problems, 5% (7 patients) needed laser therapy prior to refractive surgery. Retinal pathologies is frequent in patients with myopia over 4 diopter in comparison to patients with myopia under 4 diopter (32 vs. 9%). Retinal pathologies, with lattice degeneration as highest, frequently seen in myopic patients who seeking refractive surgery. Complete retinal examination, especially in higher myopic patients is recommended before refractive surgery.