Clinical profile of patients with retinal vein occlusion and its correlation with serum homocysteine levels.

BACKGROUND: To study the clinical profile of patients diagnosed with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and its correlation with serum Homocysteine (Hcy) levels. METHODS: This hospital-based cross-sectional study included all patients aged more than 18 years presenting to the Department of Ophthalmology from August 2024 to January 2025. A comprehensive ocular examination was done in all cases. Serum homocysteine levels (Hcy) were estimated in every case. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were compared in patients with and without hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and varying severity of HHcy across diagnoses. RESULTS: The study included 116 patients diagnosed with RVO. The mean age of patients was 56.4 ± 11.99 years. Most of the patients included in the study were males (60.3%). Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) was diagnosed in 32 (27.6%) eyes, and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) in 84 (72.4%) eyes. HHcy was the most common modifiable risk factor in 63.8% of patients. Mild HHcy was seen in 58 (78.4%) and moderate HHcy in 16 (21.6%) patients. The mean Hcy levels in CRVO and BRVO were 19.34 ± 10.97 and 19.45 ± 11.1 µmol/L, respectively. There was a statistically insignificant difference in mean BCVA and CRT according to the presence or absence of HHcy and severity of HHcy across all diagnoses. Increasing age and history of stroke were positively associated with CRVO in univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Elevated serum Hcy is associated with a majority of cases diagnosed with RVO. However, clinical presentation is not affected by the presence or absence of HHcy and its severity.