Hematologic Risk Factors in Young-Aged Retinal Vein Occlusion

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of hematologic abnormalities in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) less than 55 years of age. METHODS: Medical records of twenty-three patients with RVO less than 55 years old were reviewed to evaluate the results of CBC, ESR, homocysteine, Protein C, Protein S, antithrombin III, anticardiolipin antibody, lupus anticoagulant and lipid profile. Patients were considered to have a positive test if the results were outside the laboratory's established range. RESULTS: Four patients had ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), 8 non-ischemic CRVO, and 11 branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). The prevalence of AT III and protein S deficiency were 4.3% and 13.0% respectively. The prevalence of homocystinemia, lupus anticoagulant, hyperlipidemia were 8.7%, 4.3% and 26.1% respectively. There was no positive finding in anticardiolipin antibody or protein C deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Hypercoagulability may play a role in the pathogenesis of RVO in patients less than 55 years old, especially in those who had no systemic risk factors. The authors recommend examining systemic risk factor evaluation and hematologic evaluation to rule out thrombophilia. Those who show positive findings should be given a consultation with a hematologist for the proper management.