Thrombophilic risk factors are uncommon in young patients with retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: To study the thrombotic factors, namely deficiencies of plasma proteins C, S, and antithrombin, factor V Leiden mutation, and positivity for antiphospholipid antibodies in young patients with retinal vein occlusion.

METHODS

The thrombophilia parameters listed above were analyzed from the laboratory records of 50 patients with the clinical diagnosis of retinal vein occlusion, aged less than 50 years.

RESULTS

A single prothrombotic factor was seen in 2 (4%) cases. The highest positivity was for the antiphospholipid antibodies (lupus anticoagulant in 6%, anticardiolipin antibodies in 2%, and anti-β 2 glycoprotein 1 in 10% cases). Other than one case where antiphospholipid syndrome was confirmed, these were transient. One patient had antithrombin deficiency. Protein C and protein S deficiency and factor V Leiden mutation were not seen in this group.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that these thrombophilia risk factors are not commonly associated with retinal vein occlusion, and there is a need for studies on other factors that contribute to the development of this condition.