Branch retinal vein occlusion associated with the 20210 G-to-A prothrombin variant.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) in a patient who tested positive for the 20210 A allele of the prothrombin (PT) gene.

METHODS

A 48-year-old man had visual loss in the right eye secondary to BRVO confirmed by ophthalmoscopy and fluorescein angiography. His medical history was not remarkable for common risk factors for retinal occlusive diseases.

RESULTS

Laboratory tests for hypercoagulability were positive for PT 20210 A variant. The patient's family tested negative for the PT variant.

CONCLUSIONS

Laboratory tests for coagulopathy, including the PT 20210 A variant, should be added to the examination of patients with central or BRVO, especially if most common risk factors for thrombosis have been excluded.