Comparing the prevalence of lattice degeneration and requirement of barrage laser in different grades of myopia

Abstract

Purpose: One of the common forms of retinal degeneration noted in myopic individuals is the lattice degeneration, which may progress to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. In clinical practice, patients with moderate and high myopia undergo frequent evaluation of peripheral retinal degeneration and prophylactic barrage laser treatment is performed when indicated. However, patients with mild myopia are not routinely screened for degeneration. Aims: To compare the prevalence of peripheral retinal degeneration and to also compare the presence of sight-threatening degeneration requiring barrage laser treatment in patients with different degrees of myopia. Materials and Methods: In this study, we enrolled a total of 3,101 eyes of patients aged >5 years with myopia who visited the ophthalmic outpatient department at Father Muller Medical College. Detailed ophthalmic examination was performed to identify lattice degeneration and evaluate the requirement of barrage laser in all myopic eyes and data was recorded. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test to estimate statistical significance. Results: A total of 1600 people were examined and the male: female ratio was 0.76:1. The proportion of mild, moderate, severe, and pathological myopia was 37.74%, 57.75%, 1.12%, and 0.68%, respectively. Mild myopia had a statistically similar requirement for barrage laser as compared with that of moderate, high, or pathological myopia. Conclusions: The results indicated that mild and moderate myopia cases should also be examined for lattice degeneration features as these cases sometimes might require barrage treatment.