Initial visual acuity is an important prognostic factor in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of initial visual acuity (VA) as a potential prognostic factor for final VA in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: A retrospective data analysis involving 163 patients with macular edema secondary to BRVO treated according to the recommendations of the Branch Vein Occlusion Study Group was performed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models, and receiver-operating characteristics analysis. The analyses take factors into account that can potentially influence final visual result: sex, age, type of occlusion (major temporal or macular), grid photocoagulation and ischemia. RESULTS: The final VA ≤ 0.1 was statistically significantly related to initial VA ≤ 0.16 and age > 70 years. Sex, type of occlusion, grid photocoagulation and ischemia did not significantly influence the prediction of final VA based on age and initial VA. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis shows that initial VA and age > 70 years significantly influence the prognosis for final visual results in patients with BRVO.

The role of thrombophilia in patients with retinal vein occlusion and no systemic risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: The role of thrombophilia in the etiology of retinal vein occlusion (rVO) has not been adequately clarified. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of thrombophilia among RVO patients with and without systemic risk factors and among patients younger and older than 50 years. DESIGN: Prospective case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and twenty one patients with RVO, including 92 with acquired risk factors (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus) and 29 without these factors. The control group included 60 persons matched for age, sex, and risk factors. METHODS: All participants were screened for Leiden mutation (FV Leiden), hyperprothrombinemia (20210 G/A mutation) and deficiency of protein C, S, and antithrombin. RESULTS: The prevalence of FV Leiden was significantly higher among RVO patients without risk factors (24.1%) than among controls without risk factors (0%; p = 0.034) and among RVO patients with acquired disorders (4.3%; p = 0.001). No significant differences were found in the prevalence of the other investigated thrombophilic factors. In all, 37.9% patients without acquired risk factors were positive for at least 1 thrombophilic factor compared with 7.6% RVO patients with acquired risk factors (p < 0.001) and 8.3% of the controls (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of thrombophilic disorders among RVO patients according to age. CONCLUSIONS: FV Leiden is significantly more frequent among RVO patients without acquired risk factors. Thrombophilia plays a much more important role in the pathogenesis of RVO in patients without acquired risk factors. Screening for thrombophilia is thus indicated only for patients in whom these factors have been excluded.