Publication:

Clinical study of branch retinal vein occlusion

Background Many large case series about demographic characteristics and association of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) with systemic diseases have been published in the western population. However this pattern of demographic characteristics in the developed countries may not be representative of epidemiology of disease in the developing countries because of the real paucity of reports from these areas. The study is therefore aimed at evaluating demographic characteristics, to identify the common systemic or ocular risk factors and common clinical presentation of BRVO patients.

Methods Hundred consecutive newly diagnosed cases of BRVO were included in this study. A complete ophthalmic evaluation was done after obtaining informed consent. A complete history both ocular and medical with emphasis on hypertension, diabetes and symptoms concerning glaucoma were taken.

Results Out of 100 patients 80 were males and 20 were females. Average age of total patients was 62. Commonest mode of presentation was diminution of vision in 80 patients followed by floaters in 10 patients. About 10 patients were asymptomatic at the time of presentation. Out of 100 patient 80 were hypertensives, 10 were diabetics and deranged lipid level was found in 38 patients. Raised imtraocular pressure (IOP) was found in 10 patients, shorter axial length in 40 and no other ocular association was found in 50 patients.

Conclusions From this study we conclude that it is a disease of elderly age group and hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, shorter axial length are associated risk factors in patients with BRVO and must be looked for in such cases.