A study of evaluation of various risk factors of retinal vein occlusion

Abstract

Retinal vein occlusions have a characteristic, although somewhat variable, appearance with intraretinal hemorrhage, cotton – wool spots, tortuous and dilated retinal veins, retinal edema and occasionally optic disc swelling. There are three distinct types of RVO: branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), and an anatomical variant of CRVO, namely, hemiretinal vein occlusion (HRVO). Intraocular steroid treatments and macular or scatter panretinal photocoagulation are also employed to manage vision loss from, and complications of, RVO.To study the various systemic & ocular risk factors of RVO and the prevalence of RVO (BRVO & CRVO).This hospital based study was conducted on all RVO patients attending the OPD of Department of Ophthalmology, RNT Medical College, Udaipur.The prevalence of RVO (0.77%), BRVO (0.52%) and CRVO (0.11%) which increased with increasing age. More common in 56-65 years males. The major risk factor associated with RVO was systemic hypertension. There is a significant link between diabetic mellitus, serum homocysteine levels, and hyperlipidemia.  RVO is linked to smoking, coronary artery disease, use of OCP, and vascular occlusive disease. Macular edema was resolved and vision was significantly improved after intravitreal Anti-VEGF injections.To sum up, it is important to focus on modifiable risk factors like smoking, hyperlipidemia, systemic diseases like: hypertension and diabetes which are found to be associated with increased risk of developing RVO and also look into preventable aspect of the disease.