Background Peripheral retinal abnormalities, such as lattice degeneration, are important risk factors for retinal detachment. However, some early lesions are not easily identified in clinical practice due to the lack of symptoms or signs, and there is also a lack of epidemiological data.
Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of peripheral retinal abnormalities in adolescents with normal vision through fundus screening.
Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the fundus screening data of the trainees who participated in Air Force pilot recruitment from 2018 to 2021, and an analysis was performed for related epidemiological characteristics such as the detection rate and distribution location of abnormal fundus signs including peripheral retinal degeneration, vitreoretinal traction, and white without pressure.
Results Totally 1 058 trainees (932 male and 126 female trainees) were included, with a mean age of 17.55±0.04 years. Peripheral retinal abnormalities were found in 11.20% of the trainees with normal vision. The detection rate of vitreoretinal degeneration was 3.54%, which mainly involved the supratemporal quadrant, and 10.67% of such cases already progressed to retinal holes. The detection rate of peripheral vitreoretinal traction was 3.02%, which mainly involved the supratemporal quadrant. The detection rate of white without pressure was 2.98%, which mainly involved the infratemporal quadrant. The detection rate of retinal pigment epithelial hypertrophy was 0.66%, which was solitary and often observed in female individuals.
Conclusion About 11% of the trainees with normal vision are found to have different types of peripheral retinal abnormalities, such as retinal holes, that require active intervention, and such abnormalities are often observed in the supratemporal quadrant. Such abnormal signs should be taken seriously in the context of pilot recruitment, so as to avoid potential risks.
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