Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To assess the delayed presentation of Retinal Detachment (RD), its association from travel distance to the referral hospital (TDH), the period from symptom onset to consultation (SO-C), Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) severity, and 6 months follow-up attendance (6mo-FA). METHOD: A retrospective review based on medical records. Age, sex, initial best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), TDH, SO-C, PVR type, and 6mo-FA were recorded. Multivariable ordered logistic regression was used to analyze the association between TDH and SO-C, and SO-C and PVR severity. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze 6mo-FA according to TDH. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the association between initial BCVA and TDH. Age and sex were included in all multivariable adjustments. RESULTS: A total of 387 patients had RD with 59.2% predominantly males and the mean age±SD was 46.3±13.9 years. The initial BCVA of less than 3/60 was 81.1%. The averages of SO-C and TDH were 183.5±456 days and 160.9±364 km, respectively. The TDH of more than 120 km distance was significantly associated with longer SO-C (adjusted OR 1.78; CI 95% 1.09-2.92). PVR was noted in 17.6% of patients. The SO-C of 31-60 days was significantly associated with PVR severity (adjusted OR 4.28; CI 95% 1.47-12.51). The TDH of more than 120 km distance was significantly associated with 6mo-FA (adjusted OR 0.46; CI 95% 0.27-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Long TDH was significantly associated with a longer period from symptom onset to consultation and 6mo-FA. Hence, accessible eye care is essential to refer RD cases in a timely fashion.