Epidemilogy & risk factors

RD has an estimated incidence of 1:5,500-12,500 individuals per year. RRD is the most common cause of RD, with 0.01% annual risk and a lifetime risk (up to 60 years of age) of 0.6%. Acute RD occurs most commonly in the age group between 40 and 70 years.
Approximately 15% of individuals with RD in one eye develop detachment in the fellow eye. The risk for bilateral RRD ranges from 6–34% depending on the population studied and the associated risk factors. Bilateral RD is more common in aphakic eyes (in which the crystalline lens is absent) or pseudoaphakic eyes (in which the crystalline lens has been surgically removed and replaced by artificial lens).
Predisposition for RD is found in people of Jewish ethnicity, while low incidence is documented in African-Americans. Family predisposition is described in Jensen disease (retinochoroiditis juxtapapillaris). Men seem slightly more affected than women.

Risk Factors

Approximately 40-50% of RD are associated with high myopia, 30-40% with aphakia or pseudoaphakia, 10-20% with direct and/or severe ocular trauma. Due to liquefaction of the vitreous, the incidence of RD increases with age. Systemic disease (e.g. diabetes) can cause retinal pathology that may increase the risk of RD. Lattice degeneration, ocular infections and glaucoma are major risk factors for development of RRD. Specific sports (boxing, bungee jumping) may be associated with an increased risk of RD.