[Retinal vein occlusion and carotid Doppler imaging].

PURPOSE: To investigate retinal vein occlusion with B-mode ultrasonography carotid and color Doppler imaging.

METHODS

In 223 patients (225 eyes) presenting with retinal vein occlusion, we retrospectively investigated vascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular history, smoking, and glaucoma), standard laboratory tests, and color Doppler imaging of the carotid artery.

RESULTS

The data from 106 women (47.54%) and 117 men (52.46%), with a mean age of 65 years, were studied, with 169 patients presenting a central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and 56 a branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Thirteen patients (6%) had significant carotid artery stenosis (>=70%), which was the single etiology. Forty patients (18%) had nonsignificant carotid artery stenosis (<70%) with a risk of embolism production. Such carotid artery lesions found in color Doppler imaging in the RVO investigations were significantly more frequent in older patients (>65 years) who presented at least two RVO risk factors (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study has shown the the advantages of carotid Doppler imaging in retinal vein occlusion.