# Exploring the Risk: Peripheral Retinal Degenerations in Young Australian Adults

## TL;DR

This study explores the prevalence of peripheral retinal degenerations in young Australian adults and how eye length and vision defects relate to the risk of these conditions.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into how axial length predicts peripheral retinal degenerations in a mixed population.

## Key findings

- Peripheral retinal degenerations were found in 8.15% of the studied population.
- Longer axial length was a stronger predictor of PRD than refractive error.
- The likelihood of PRD increased significantly at specific axial length and myopia thresholds.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Peripheral retinal degenerations (PRDs) are structural anomalies in the outer regions of the retina, typically emerging in adolescence and early adulthood. Early detection is crucial, as some PRDs can lead to sight-threatening complications, such as retinal detachment, if left unmanaged. Due to a paucity of research regarding PRDs and their association with axial length (AL) and refractive error (RE) in young Australian adults, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of PRDs in this population and establish whether AL and RE could help predict the likelihood of PRD occurrence. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a mixed population (n = 221) of Australian adults aged 18 to 40. Demographic data, RE, AL, and a series of ultra-widefield (UWF) retinal images were obtained from participants’ undilated eyes using the Zeiss ClarusTM 500. Results: The overall PRD prevalence was 8.15% (n = 442 eyes). Binary logistic regression revealed that a longer AL was a more significant factor in increasing the risk of PRD development across all myopia classifications compared to emmetropia than RE. The likelihood of a PRD was 50% at an AL of 26.9 mm and −6.50D of myopia, and 95% at 29.6 mm and −11.00D. Conclusions: PRD prevalence was lower than reported in other global studies, perhaps reflecting the diverse ethnic makeup of the cohort. While our study supports the conventional understanding that longer ALs, and high myopia are key risk factors for developing a PRD, it also provides new insights into the likelihood of detecting a PRD at a given AL or RE in a mixed population. This information is crucial for eye care practitioners, enabling early identification of at-risk individuals and screening for PRDs that may increase the risk of retinal detachment.