Impact of cardiovascular risk factors on incidence and severity of Retinal Vein Occlusion
V. 171 N. 6 (2020), Research article
V. 171 N. 6 (2020)

Impact of cardiovascular risk factors on incidence and severity of Retinal Vein Occlusion: doi: 10.7417/CT.2020.2269

Research article
Pubblicato 2020-11-02
F. Pacella
Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome
G. Bongiovanni
Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome
M. Malvasi
Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome
E. Trovato Battagliola
Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome
A. Pistone
Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome
S.Z. Scalinci
Department of Ophthalmology University of Bologna
S. Basili
Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza - University of Rome, Rome
G. La Torre
Department of Public health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
E. Pacella
Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome
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Parole chiave

Retinal Vein Occlusion
RVO
Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion
BRVO
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion
CRVO
Central Macular Thickness
CMT
Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Hypertension

Abstract

Purpose
Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) is a thrombotic process affecting retinal veins. The purpose of this research is to study demographic characteristics and prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities among subjects affected by RVO. In addition, authors explore the role of each variable in determining occlusion type and severity.

Subjects, materials and methods
This was a prospective observational study recruiting subjects affected by RVO and secondary macular edema. Exclusion criteria included pre-existing macular edema, recent ocular surgery (<6 months), pregnancy, diagnosis other than RVO, diabetes mellitus type I, any systemic pathology that significantly reduced life expectancy. Each participant was studied through a comprehensive medical history, cardiovascular assessment, blood testing, ocular exam, and macular OCT imaging.

Results
A total of 145 eyes, 145 participants, thereof 80 males (55%) and 65 females. (45%) Mean age: 62.5 ± 14.3 SD. 61 eyes (42%) were affected by CRVO and 84 eyes (58%) by BRVO. No statistically significant differences were noted between genders. Hypertension was very prevalent (63%). Dyslipidemia was more associated with BRVO (p = 0.044). Subjects with hypertension had a mean central macular thickness (CMT) of 643 µm against a mean of 489 µm of those without hypertension. (p < 0.05). No other variable was associated with macular edema severity.

Conclusions
Older age and hypertension are strong risk factors for RVO. Dyslipidemia was strongly associated with BRVO. (p=0.044) Hypertension was not only associated with RVO incidence, but also with its severity. In fact, hypertensive subjects had significantly worse macular edema

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