RISK FACTORS FOR RETINAL VENOUS OCCLUSIVE DISORDERS IN YOUNGER PATIENTS

Aim: To evaluate the various risk factors in Retinal Venous Occlusive diseases in young patients below 51 years of age. Materials and Methods: Patients of less than 51 years of age, diagnosed with Retinal venous occlusive disorders (CRVO-Central Retinal Venous Occlusion, HRVO-Hemi retinal Vein Occlusion, BRVO-Branch retinal Vein Occlusion) were investigated for various risk factors . The study was conducted at Retina clinic, Department of Ophthalmology, Government Regional Eye Hospital, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam from august 2017 to January 2018. Results: A total of 25 patients were recruited for the study. The mean age of the patients in our study was 44 years, the youngest patient was of 25 years and the oldest patient was of 50 years of age. There were 12 males (48%) and 13 females (52%) in our study. Elevated Plasma Homocysteine levels were present in 20 patients accounting for 80% of the cases. Hypertension was present in 16 patients accounting for 64%of the cases. Hyperlipidemia (Elevated Serum Cholesterol or reduced Serum High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) levels) was present in 13 patients accounting for 52% of the cases. Diabetes Mellitus was present in 9 patients accounting for 36% of the cases. Conclusion: Retinal venous occlusive disorders are one of the common causes of loss of vision. In our study we found that elevated Plasma Homocysteine levels, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia and Diabetes Mellitus were present in patients of retinal venous occlusive disorders. Hence, investigations must be carried out to detect these conditions in patients diagnosed with retinal venous occlusive disorders. Identifying and treating these conditions can help in preventing recurrences of retinal venous occlusive disorders and can also help in prevention of systemic vaso-occlusive events in future. Primordial prevention in the form of lifestyle modifications in the younger population will also help in preventing occurrence of these risk factors which in turn will prevent the occurrence of ocular as well as systemic vaso-occlusive disorders.