The Swedish Retinal Detachment Register. I. A database for epidemiological and clinical studies

To create a computer-based national register for epidemiological and clinical studies on retinal detachment (RD) for large populations over time.

A database system was developed for Microsoft Windows 95 and NT platforms to support a multi-user environment, comprising 117 fields (270 parameters). The system is equipped with statistical search programs for statistical differences and dependencies between fields and with graphical display.

Information is structured into six subgroups: identification of patient, history of RD, preoperative ocular status, operations, recurrence, and follow-up. Lists of diagnoses, methods and surgical procedures facilitate data input. The drop-out frequency ('null') and follow-up recording are automatically monitored. Mean visual acuity is calculated using logMAR units. Data from the first 1116 patients yield a high RD incidence of 14 per 100,000 inhabitants in an urban area. Mean age at surgery for women was 62.9 years (95% confidence interval 61.54-64.35) and for men 58.3 years (95% confidence interval 57.12-59.42). Myopia was more common before the age of 50 (mean -4.16 D, 95% confidence interval -5.00 to -3.32) than at higher age (mean -0.84 D, 95% confidence interval -1.19 to -0.49). Cataract surgery had previously been performed in 30.8% of the eyes and preoperative macular detachment was present in 52.3%.

This database register is a useful and powerful tool for population-based studies on epidemiological and clinical parameters of RD. Detailed analyses of retinal reattachment surgery in relation to preoperative findings can be performed in large case materials.