Pseudoexfoliation and glaucoma in eyes with retinal vein occlusion

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate pseudoexfoliation (PE) and pre-existent glaucoma in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).

Methods: Consecutive eyes with a diagnosis of BRVO (73 eyes of 70 patients) and CRVO (53 eyes of 49 patients) examined between July and December 1998 comprised the study eyes. Age-matched control group consisted of 384 eyes of 192 outpatients. The prevalence of PE and glaucoma were determined and appropriate statistical tests were performed.

Results: PE was present in six of 73 eyes with BRVO (8.2%), 11 of 53 eyes with CRVO (20.8%) and 20 of 384 control eyes (5.2%). Two of 73 eyes with BRVO (2.7%) and 10 of 53 eyes with CRVO (18.9%) had glaucoma. Compared with the control eyes, PE was significantly more common in eyes with CRVO and coexistent glaucoma was significantly more common both in eyes with CRVO and in eyes with BRVO.

Conclusion: While glaucoma seems to be a risk factor both for BRVO and CRVO, PE is a likely risk factor for CRVO.