LABORATORY EVALUATION OF HYPERCOAGULABLE STATES IN PATIENTS WITH CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION WHO ARE LESS THAN 56 YEARS OF AGE

Sleep-disordered breathing is related to retinal vein occlusion: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Previous studies suggest that sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) may be a potential risk factor of retinal vein occlusion (RVO). We conducted a meta-analysis to systematically explore the relationship between RVO and SDB.

METHODS

Observational studies assessing the relationship between SDB and RVO were retrieved by searches of electronic databases including the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wan Fang databases from database inception to August 9, 2023. In consideration of intra-study heterogeneity, a random-effects model was adopted to combine the results.

RESULTS

Seven studies (1 retrospective cohort and 6 case-control studies) were included in this meta-analysis, and among 36,628 adults included in those studies, 6452 (17.6%) had SDB. The combined results indicated that SDB was associated with RVO [risk ratio (RR): 1.92, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.60-2.30, P < .001] with no significant heterogeneity (I2 = 0%). Subgroup analyses showed consistent relationships between SDB and any RVO (RR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.13-2.28, P < .001), central RVO (RR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.57-3.08, P < .001), and branch RVO (RR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.15-2.99, P = .01). Moreover, the relationship was consistent among patients with mild (RR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.32-2.53, P < .001), moderate (RR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.65-2.85, P < .001), and severe SDB (RR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.96-3.62, P < .001). The association was consistent in studies that adjusted for age and sex (RR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.50-3.13, P < .001), and in studies with additional adjustment for comorbidities (RR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.42-2.25, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

SDB is associated with RVO in adults.

Central Retinal Vein Occlusion after mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination

A 47-year-old man presented with visual loss in the right eye 8 h after the first dose of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2). The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/200. Fundus examination showed dilated and tortuous retinal veins at the posterior pole, retinal hemorrhages throughout the fundus, and macular edema. Fluorescein angiography showed multiple hypofluorescent spots that appeared to be fluorescent block due to retinal hemorrhages and hyperfluorescent leakage from the retinal veins. The eye was diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). For the treatment of macular edema, intravitreal injection of aflibercept (IVA) was administered and treated with one plus pro re nata regimen. Five IVAs were performed over a 10-month follow-up period, with resolution of macular edema, and the BCVA recovered to 20/20. The patient was young and had no history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or atherosclerotic diseases, and his blood tests showed no abnormal findings. Both antigen test and polymerase chain reaction test for COVID-19 were negative, and the antibody test was positive due to vaccination. The development of CRVO in this patient may have been related to COVID-19 vaccination, and the appropriate IVA treatment resulted in a good visual prognosis.

Clinical Features of Central Retinal Vein Occlusion in Young Patients

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is the second most common retinal vascular disease. Central RVO (CRVO), in which obstruction occurs posterior to the lamina cribrosa due to various causes, manifests with extensive venous tortuosity, dilatation of blood vessels in the four quadrants, and retinal hemorrhage. The presence of macular edema decreases visual acuity in patients with CRVO, especially in elderly patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. In the last decade, treatment modalities for CRVO have improved, with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents being widely used as treatment. However, there are cases of refractory or recurrent macular edema. Moreover, CRVO also occurs in young patients. This article reviews previous studies and case reports and summarizes the differences in etiological factors, clinical manifestations, treatment, and prognosis between young and elderly patients. Due to the low incidence of CRVO in young patients, clinical data from these age groups are limited. Hence, further studies are warranted to explore the differences between age groups to improve individualization of treatment of young patients.

Hypercoagulability Testing and Hypercoagulable Disorders in Young Central Retinal Vein Occlusion Patients

PURPOSE

To determine frequency of hypercoagulability testing and hypercoagulable states in patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) younger than 50 years.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Deidentified patients younger than 50 years with newly diagnosed CRVO from a national insurance claims database.

METHODS

The de-identified Clinformatics Data Mart Database (Optum) containing medical claims from a commercial and Medicare Advantage insurance database was used. All outpatient medical claims (office visits, associated diagnoses, and laboratory testing) and demographic data for each beneficiary during their enrollment were accessible.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence of (1) laboratory hypercoagulable workup within 90 days of CRVO diagnosis, (2) new diagnosis of a hypercoagulable state within 1 year of CRVO diagnosis, and (3) diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), and hyperlipidemia.

RESULTS

One thousand one hundred eighty-one patients met inclusion criteria. Six hundred seventy-one patients (56.8%) were men, 450 patients (38.1%) had undergone hypercoagulable testing within 90 days, and 136 patients (11.5%) were diagnosed with a hypercoagulable state within 1 year after CRVO diagnosis. This proportion was similar between those patients with DM, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia (10.5% [65/620]) and those without (12.7% [71/561]; P = 0.28). Of the 136 patients diagnosed with a hypercoagulability state, 68.4% (93/136) had undergone testing within 90 days of CRVO diagnosis and 31.6% (43/136) did not. Of those who had not undergone hypercoagulability testing, 5.9% (43/731) were diagnosed with a hypercoagulable state within 1 year compared with 20.7% (93/450) in those who were tested (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of a hypercoagulable state within 1 year of CRVO diagnosis in patients younger than 50 years was 11.5%, and the prevalence was similar between patients with atherosclerotic risk factors and those without. Rate of testing was only 38.1%. Future research should examine the usefulness of uniform hypercoagulable testing in young CRVO patients.

Central Retinal Vein Occlusion in a 46-Year-Old Man with COVID-19: Case Report and Review of the Literature

A 46-year-old man with a history of well-controlled hypertension presented with a central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in his right eye, which was complicated by cystoid macular edema. When the patient noted new visual symptoms, he was also experiencing muscle aches and easy fatiguability. A standard hypercoagulability panel failed to identify an etiology for his CRVO. However, the patient underwent COVID-19 antibody testing, which returned positive. The patient received a series of aflibercept injections for his macular edema, and his vision improved. Further study is warranted to determine if there is any association between mild infection with COVID-19 and the development of CRVO.

Papillitis with retinal venous congestion and intraocular inflammation

Purpose

Observations

Conclusions

Importance

Retinal vascular manifestations of obstructive sleep apnea

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this article is to summarize up-to-date research on the effects of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on retinal vascular conditions.

RECENT FINDINGS

OSA is associated with the development of diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, and central serous chorioretinopathy. The severity of OSA and biomarkers such as the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) correlate with the severity of retinal disease. Dysregulation of circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK) genes that govern circadian rhythm is associated with development of proliferative retinal disease.

SUMMARY

OSA and retinal vascular disease have a high cost burden on the healthcare system. OSA creates systemic changes and hypoxic conditions that may incite or exacerbate retinal vascular diseases. Retinal changes may be the first clinical manifestation of otherwise undiagnosed OSA, so it is important to refer patients with new-onset retinal vascular disease for appropriate sleep testing.

Hypertension and multiple cardiovascular risk factors increase the risk for retinal vein occlusions: results from the Gutenberg Retinal Vein Occlusion Study

OBJECTIVE

Although several risk factors for retinal vein occlusion (RVO) are known, what triggers RVO is unclear in many cases. We aimed to evaluate the relevance of multiple risk factors in patients with RVO.

METHODS

The Gutenberg RVO Study is an observational case-control study that assessed thrombophilic, cardiovascular, ophthalmic, and drug-related risk factors in participants with RVO and the same number of matched controls. Conditional logistic regression analysis was chosen to estimate the risk of RVO due to several risk factors.

RESULTS

Of 92 patients with RVO, 46 (50%) had central RVO, 31 (33.7%) had branch RVO, and 15 (16.3) had hemi-RVO. Systemic hypertension was associated with RVO [any RVO: odds ratio (OR): 1.81; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14-2.88; branch RVO: OR: 2.56; 95% CI: 1.08-6.10]. The most frequent combinations of risk factors were hypertension with dyslipidemia (33 of 92, 35.9%) and hyperhomocysteinemia and high levels of factor VIII (10 of 92, 10.9%). An increase in the risk sum score by one additional risk factor corresponded to ORs of 1.74 (95% CI: 1.31-2.32) for cardiovascular risk factors, 1.38 (95% CI: 1.04-1.82) for thrombophilic risk factors, and 1.43 (95% CI: 1.20-1.70) for the total number of risk factors for RVO.

CONCLUSION

Cardiovascular risk factors are more important than other risk factors for the presence of RVO. The risk of RVO increased by approximately 40% with any additional risk factor and by 70% with any additional cardiovascular risk factor.

Baseline clinical features predict visual outcome in young patients with central retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE

To evaluate prognostic factors in young patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).

METHODS

Retrospective case series. CRVO patients aged ≤ 50 and follow-up ≥ 6 months were enrolled. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and last visit were documented. Severity of retinopathy was graded by comparing to standard photos. Prognostic factors associated with visual outcome at 6 months were evaluated by multiple linear regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 73 eyes from 69 patients with mean age 37.6 ± 8.5 were enrolled. Forty-seven (68%) patients were male. The mean follow-up duration was 25.9 ± 23.0 months. LogMAR BCVA improved from 0.979 ± 0.785 at baseline to 0.594 ± 0.748 at the 6 months (p < 0.001) and CRT improved from 475 ± 222 μm to 299 ± 104 μm (p < 0.001). Forty-eight (66%) eyes required anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment. The mean number of injections was 2.25 ± 1.41 in the first 6 months and 75% of eyes received ≦ 3 injections during the clinical course. The baseline BCVA (coefficient 0.518, p < 0.001), grade of retinal hemorrhage (coefficient 0.230, p = 0.006), grade of retinal venous engorgement (coefficient 0.238, p = 0.011), grade of optic disc edema (coefficient - 0.226, p = 0.005), and diabetes mellitus (coefficient 0.264, p = 0.047) were the independent factors associated with visual outcome at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline clinical features are useful for the prediction of visual outcome at 6 months in young CRVO patients.

Central retinal vein occlusion in a patient with breast carcinoma

Purpose: Systemic malignancies may have ocular manifestations in the form of metastatic tumors, carcinoma associated retinopathy or central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Although CRVO has been mentioned in association with renal, lung, prostatic and ovarian malignancies, the association of CRVO with breast carcinoma is unreported. We report a patient with one such rare association.

Methods: We describe a patient with breast carcinoma who was diagnosed to have CRVO. The history, ocular examination, retinal optical coherence tomography scan, ocular ultrasound scan, hematological profile, mammogram details and aspiration cytology description of the malignant breast lesion are reported in this article.

Results: The retina showed extensive hemorrhages and dilated retinal veins. Complete hematologic evaluation revealed the presence of microcytic hypochromic anemia and increased hematocrit. These changes are possibly related to the malignant disease and might contribute to the pathogenesis of CRVO.

Coclusion: This case report demonstrates the rare association between breast malignancy and CRVO.

Can Rotational Thromboelastometry be a New Predictive Tool for Retinal Vein Occlusion Development?

PURPOSE

To evaluate clotting dynamics by a new tool called rotational tromboelastometry (ROTEM) in retinal vein occlusion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-six patients who were diagnosed with retinal vein occlusion and 43 age and sex matched healthy controls were included in this study. Diabetes and use of anticoagulant therapy were exclusion criteria. All study participants underwent detailed ophthalmologic and systemic medical examination, including blood pressure measurement, hemoglobin-hematocrit levels, platelet count, coagulation parameters including prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen levels, and D-dimer levels. Peripheral blood samples were collected and analyzed with ROTEM Coagulation Analyzer (Tem International, Munich, Germany).

RESULTS

The RVO patients and controls did not differ with respect to age, sex, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet numbers, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen levels, D-dimer levels, and glucose levels. When extrinsic thromboelastometry results were analyzed, RVO patients showed a significantly decreased clotting time (76.5 ± 15.0 vs. 95.0 ± 21 s, respectively; p = 0.01) and clot formation time (83.3 ± 22 vs. 99.7 ± 24s; p = 0.01) as compared with healthy controls. Other ROTEM parameters did now show any difference between two groups.

CONCLUSION

Patients with retinal vein occlusion showed faster clotting time and shorter clotting formation time as compared with healthy controls. ROTEM detects the altered clotting dynamics and may be a useful tool to elucidate the disease pathophysiology. Further studies are needed to investigate if it can be used as a screening test for individuals who are under risk to develop RVO or as a first step test to evaluate hypercoagulable state in RVO.