Characteristics of myopic retinopathy and its awareness in adults: a hospital-based comparative study

Abstract

Background: The present study assessed the characteristics of retinal degenerations in myopic patients and compared their occurrence with that of emmetropic patients. It also studied the awareness of myopic retinopathy among myopic patients. Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study included patients of either gender, aged 18 to 40 years, diagnosed with either myopia or emmetropia. Patients with myopia and emmetropia constituted the study and control groups, respectively. A comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation was done in every case. Myopia was divided into three categories: mild (0.5- 5 D), moderate (> 5 to 10 D), and severe (> 10 D). A pre-designed questionnaire was prescribed to the myopic patients, and their responses to the questions were noted. Results: The study included 400 (800 eyes) myopic and 200 (400 eyes) emmetropic patients. Mean age in the myopic and emmetropic groups was 23.59 ± 5.96 and 24.13 ± 6.62 years, respectively. The mean axial length in the myopia group was 24.53 ± 1.61 mm compared to 22.21 ± 0.84 mm in the emmetropia group (P < 0.0001). Peripheral retinal changes were present in 304 (38.0%) and 23 (5.8%) eyes with myopia and emmetropia, respectively (P = 0.0001). White without pressure was the most common peripheral retinal degeneration in the myopia group (25.4%), followed by lattice degeneration (12.6%). Around 50.7% of myopic patients were unaware of vision-threatening complications of myopia. Only 48.8% of the participants knew the importance of regular retinal check-ups. Older age, increased axial length, and higher myopia grades were found to be statistically significant predictors of peripheral retinal degeneration (P < 0.005). Conclusion: Myopic patients have a higher prevalence of peripheral retinal degeneration than emmetropics. Majority of myopic patients are unaware of the sight-threatening potential of the disease. Increasing awareness and promoting regular eye examinations can reduce the effect of the progression of the disease and major complications.