[Retrospective case analysis of ophthalmological and systemic risk factors in patients with retinal vascular occlusion].

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to determine systemic risk factors for acute central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and to evaluate the usefulness of systemic diagnostics in CRAO and CRVO.

METHODS

The study consisted of a retrospective chart review including 80 patients (CRAO 38, CRVO 42). All patients underwent systemic diagnostics including blood pressure measurement, blood cholesterol level, carotid Doppler imaging, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), intraocular pressure measurement, glaucoma history and presence of thrombophilic factors. A systemic medical history was obtained.

RESULTS

Systemic hypertension was found in 76.3% CRAO and 75.6% CRVO patients. Abnormal cardiac findings were detected in 61% (CRAO) and 22% (CRVO). Abnormal carotid findings were detected in 44.1% for CRAO and 9.5% for CRVO. Pathological thrombophilic factors were found in both groups for approximately 15%.

CONCLUSIONS

TTE and carotid Doppler are important tools in the diagnosis of sources of emboli in patients with CRAO, while for CRVO abnormal findings are revealed by TTE and carotid Doppler less often. Thrombophilia should be ruled out in the absence of common risk factors, especially in younger patients and systemic hypertension should be adequately controlled.