Risk factors for retinal breaks in patients with symptom of floaters.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the risk factors of retinal breaks in patients with the symptom of floaters, and to determine the association between those risk factors and retinal breaks.


METHODS
A retrospective analytic study of 184 patients (55 males and 129 females) that included 220 eyes was conducted. Patient information such as age, symptoms (multiple floaters, flashing), duration of symptom, refractive error, history of cataract surgery, family history of retinal detachment, and complete eye examination were recorded. The patients were divided into two groups, the first group (control group) had symptoms of floaters and no retinal breaks, the second group (retinal breaks group) had symptoms of floaters with retinal breaks. Chi-square test, and the multiple logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
Two hundred twenty eyes, 175 eyes of the control group and 45 eyes of the retinal breaks group were examined and included in this study. The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with multiple floaters, and floaters and flashing increased the risk of retinal breaks to 5.8 and 4.3 times, respectively, when compared to patients with single floater or floaters alone. Lattice degeneration increased the risk of retinal breaks to 5.9 times when compared to eyes that did not have lattice degeneration.


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple floaters, flashing and lattice degeneration are risk factors of retinal breaks in patients with symptoms of floaters. Therefore, it is important for the ophthalmologists to be aware of these risk factors and the patients at risk should have follow-up examinations.
Singalavanija
Apichart
A
Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. siasn@mahidol.ac.th
Amornrattanapan
Chutiwan
C
Nitiruangjarus
Kanjanee
K
Tongsai
Sasima
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D020255:Vitreous Detachment / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult