Purpose To estimate the incidence and clinical characteristics of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in Taiwan.

Methods This was a nationwide, population-based retrospective study of patients with RRD. Data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (2000–2012), which represents 4% of the total population in Taiwan, were analysed. The incidence of RRD and its associations with age, gender and high myopia were analysed.

Results A total of 2359 patients with RRD (1336 men and 1023 women) were identified from 2000–2012. The age-standardised incidence rate of RRD over the 13-year period was 16.40±1.06 per 10⁵ person-years (18.89 and 13.93 for men and women, respectively, p<0.0001) and an average age of 47.76±0.67 years. The incidence in both genders had an obvious peak at 50–69 years of age, and a secondary peak at 20–29 years in women. Concomitant high myopia was noted in 10.51% of the patients, with an average of 39.72±1.95 years. Prior cataract extraction was noted in 11.06% of the patients, including 17.64% in the patients RRD aged ≥50 years and 4.04% in those younger than 50 years. The average age of the patients with pseudophakic or aphakic RRD was 61.85±1.60 years.

Conclusions The annual incidence of RRD in Taiwan is comparable to most Western countries, with a relatively younger mean age. The male patients were more susceptible to retinal detachment in almost all age groups. Retinal detachment in patients with high myopia was associated with a younger age at onset.