Risk Factors for Retinal Vein Occlusions

The platelet glycoprotein Ia/IIa gene polymorphism C807T/G873A: a novel risk factor for retinal vein occlusion

“…The commoner risk factors for RVO are similar to those seen in arterial rather than venous thrombosis, notably diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia to which can be added local anatomical factors such as open-angle glaucoma. [1][2][3][4][5][6] In RVO studies, the potential pathogenic role(s) of the common causes of thrombophilia, that is, FVL, prothrombin gene mutation, and MTHFR, has given conflicting results. Interestingly, the acquired thrombophilia conditions, hyperhomocysteinaemia, and antiphospholipid syndrome, which cause both arterial and venous thrombosis, are most associated with RVO.…”

“…The pathogenesis is multifactorial with open-angle glaucoma, retinal artery disease, and systemic illness; for example, diabetes, hypertension, hyperviscosity, arteriosclerosis, and hyperlipidaemia, all risk factors. [1][2][3][4][5][6] A role for these disorders is in keeping with Virchow's triad of haemostasis and endothelial damage. With the recent identification of common thrombophilic disorders, there has been renewed interest in the third of Virchow's triad, notably hypercoaguability.…”

Abnormalities in haemorheological factors and lipoprotein (a) in retinal vascular occlusion: Implications for increased vascular risk

“…16 Hypertension is, however, a common associated systemic feature for both retinal artery and vein occlusion, especially in older patients (aged >50 years), whilst race, family history, diabetes, coronary artery disease or previous stroke were less signi ficant. [16][17][18][19] It is well-recognised that hypertension is associated with abnormalities of rheology and coagulation.3 The latter may in part explain why, despite the arterial tree being exposed to high pressures, the complications of hypertension are thrombotic rather than haemorrhagic.…”

Do angiographic data support a detailed classification of hypertensive fundus changes?

“…2 In the eye, arterial hypertension is considered to be a major systemic risk factor for retinal artery and vein occlusion. 3,4 Fluorescein angio-graphy is an established method not only to assess, but also to quantify microvascular changes in a variety of retinal diseases. 5,6 In patients with mild to moderate hypertension, an enlargement of the perifoveal intercapillary areas (PIA) and a reduced capillary blood velocity (CBV) was found.…”