Retinal detachment is more common in which group?

Retinal detachment is more common in which group?

• A. Myopic, nearsighted whites and men who suffered traumatic injuries
• B. Hyperopic, older women
• C. Children with myopia
• D. People with diabetes

Answer: (A)

The risk factors driving retinal detachment center on structural changes to the eye that make tears in the retina more likely. Highly myopic (nearsighted) eyes are stretched and their peripheral retina is thinner, so tears can form more easily and allow vitreous fluid to separate the retina. Trauma can precipitate those tears or breaks as well. Because the option combines myopia with a history of trauma, it identifies the group at highest risk among the choices. Hyperopic (farsighted) eyes, older women without myopia, children with myopia, or people with diabetes don’t have the same strong association with retinal tears and detachment.

The risk factors driving retinal detachment center on structural changes to the eye that make tears in the retina more likely. Highly myopic (nearsighted) eyes are stretched and their peripheral retina is thinner, so tears can form more easily and allow vitreous fluid to separate the retina. Trauma can precipitate those tears or breaks as well. Because the option combines myopia with a history of trauma, it identifies the group at highest risk among the choices. Hyperopic (farsighted) eyes, older women without myopia, children with myopia, or people with diabetes don’t have the same strong association with retinal tears and detachment.