Peripheral retinal degeneration in myopic undergraduates

Objective To determine epidemiological characteristics of peripheral retinal changes in undergraduates with myopia(spherical equivalent≤-0.50D) and to investigate the relationship with severity of myopia,axial length or the depth of vitreous and the retinal lesions in myopia.Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 178 undergraduates with refractions equal to or less than-0.50D.Examinations included keratometry,cycloplegic refraction,intraocular pressure measurement,A and B scan ultrasonography,and retinal examinations by indirect ophthalmoscopy with scleral indentation and Goldmann three-mirror contact lens examination.Results Prevalence of peripheral retinal changes in myopic undergraduates was 45.21%.Prevalence of lattice degeneration was 8.98%.Positive correlations were found between axial length and the lesions of lattice degeneration,retinal hole and retinal detachment(P0.05).Conclusion Peripheral retinal degenerations were very common among Chinese myopic undergraduates,and the severity was highly correlated with diopters of myopia,axial length.