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IMPORTANCEThe incidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is partly determined by its risk factors, such as age, sex, cataract surgery, and myopia. Changes in the prevalence of these risk factors could change RRD incidence in the population. OBJECTIVE To determine whether the incidence of RRD in the Netherlands has changed over recent years and whether this change is associated with an altered prevalence of RRD risk factors. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTSThis cohort study included data from all 14 vitreoretinal clinics in the Netherlands, as well as a large Dutch population-based cohort study. All patients who underwent surgical repair for a primary RRD in the Netherlands from January 1 to December 31, 2009, and January 1 to December 31, 2016, were analyzed, in addition to all participants in the population-based Rotterdam Study who were examined during these years. Analysis began February 2018 and ended November 2019.EXPOSURES RRD risk factors, including age, male sex, cataract extraction, and myopia.MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Age-specific RRD incidence rate in the Dutch population, as well as change in RRD incidence and risk factor prevalence between 2009 and 2016.RESULTS In 2016, 4447 persons (median [range] age, 61 [3-96] years) underwent surgery for a primary RRD within the Netherlands, resulting in an RRD incidence rate of 26.2 per 100 000 person-years (95% CI, 25.4-27.0). The overall RRD incidence rate had increased by 44% compared with similar data from 2009. The increase was observed in both phakic (1994 in 2009 to 2778 in 2016 [increase, 39%]) and pseudophakic eyes (1004 in 2009 to 1666 in 2016 [increase, 66%]), suggesting that cataract extraction could not solely account for the overall rise. Over the same period, the prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe myopia among persons aged 55 to 75 years had increased by 15.6% (881 of 4561 [19.3%] vs 826 of 3698 [22.3%]), 20.3% (440 of 4561 [9.6%] vs 429 of 3698 [11.6%]), and 26.9% (104 of 4561 [2.3%] vs 107 of 3698 [2.9%]), respectively, within the population-based Rotterdam Study.CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this study, an increase was observed in primary RRD incidence in the Netherlands over a 7-year period, which could not be explained by a different age distribution or cataract surgical rate. A simultaneous myopic shift in the Dutch population may be associated, warranting further population-based studies on RRD incidence and myopia prevalence.

Our aim was to test our laparoscopic simulator for construct validity and for establishing performance standards. The skills of laparoscopic novices (n=18) and advanced gynaecologists (experts, n=5) were tested on our inanimate simulator by their performance of five tasks. The sum score was the sum of scores of all five tasks. We calculated the scores by adding completion time and penalty points. After baseline evaluation, the novices were assigned to five weekly training sessions (n=8, training group) or no training (n=10, control group). Both groups were retested. The experts were tested once, and their performance was compared with the baseline scores of all novices to establish construct validity. The training group improved significantly in all tasks. The final scores of the trained group were significantly better than those of the control group. The training group reached a plateau within seven trials, except for intra-corporeal knot tying. During final testing, the trained group reached the experts' level of skills on the simulator. We concluded that our simulation model has construct validity. Novices can reach the experts' basic laparoscopic skills level on the simulator after a short and intense simulator training course. Experts' basic skills level on the simulator is an achievable performance standard during residency training.

The purpose of this study was to test the retention of basic laparoscopic skills on a box trainer 1 year after a short training program. For a prior study, eight medical students without prior experience (novices) underwent baseline testing, followed by five weekly training sessions and a final test. During each of seven sessions, they performed five tasks on an inanimate box trainer. Scores were calculated by adding up the time to completion of the task with penalty points, consequently rewarding speed and precision. The sum score was the sum of the five scores. One year later, seven of them underwent retention testing for the current study. The final test results were compared with retention test results as a measure of durability of acquired skills. Novices’ scores did not worsen significantly for four out of five tasks (i.e., placing a pipe cleaner p = 0.46, placing beads p = 0.24, cutting a circle p = 0.31, and knot tying p = 0.13). However, deterioration was observed in the performance on stretching a rubber band (p < 0.05), as well as in the sum score (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, all retention scores remained better than the baseline results. In conclusion, basic laparoscopic skills acquired during a short training program merely sustain over time. However, ongoing practice is advisable, especially to preserve tissue-handling skills, since these may be the first to deteriorate.

PurposeTo evaluate postoperative metamorphopsia in macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and its association with visual function, vision related quality of life, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings.Methods45 patients with primary macula-off RRD were included. At 12 months postoperatively, data on metamorphopsia using sine amsler charts (SAC), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), letter contrast sensitivity, color vision (saturated and desaturated color confusion indexes), critical print size, reading acuity, the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25), and OCT, were obtained.ResultsMetamorphopsia was present in 39 patients (88.6%), with most of them (n = 35, 77.8%) showing only mild metamorphopsia (SAC score = 1). Patients with metamorphopsia had significantly worse postoperative BCVA (p = 0.02), critical print size (p<0.0005), and reading acuity (p = 0.001) compared to patients without metamorphopsia. Other visual function outcomes and NEI-VFQ-25 overall composite score were all also somewhat lower in patients with metamorphopsia, but this did not reach statistical significance. No association with OCT findings was present.ConclusionThe prevalence of postoperative metamorphopsia in macula-off RRD patients is high, however, the degree of metamorphopsia is relatively low. When metamorphopsia is present, visual functions seem to be compromised, while vision related quality of life is only mildly affected.