Retinal Detachment in Incarcerated Patients

Purpose: To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of incarcerated patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Methods: This is a retrospective case series of incarcerated patients evaluated at the University of California, Davis Medical Center. Results: Twenty-five patients (25 eyes) were included in the study. The mean (±SD) duration of symptoms prior to presentation was 41 ± 105.3 days, and a history of trauma was reported in 12 (48%) patients. Mean preoperative logMAR visual acuity was 1.9 ± 0.2, and this improved to 1.3 ± 0.2 (P = .034) at last follow-up (mean follow-up, 9.4 ± 4.5 months). Single-surgery success was achieved in 9 patients (56.3%) with 3 months or more of follow-up. Conclusions: A significant proportion of incarcerated patients with RRD report a history of trauma and present for care after significant delay. Prompt access to care may improve outcomes.