Risk Factors for Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

Risk factors for the occurrence of central retinal vein occlusion are to a certain extent similar to those of cardiovascular diseases (e.g. arteriosclerosis, arterial systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dislipidemia). Hyperhomocysteinemia is an essential risk factor for arteriosclerosis intervening also directly in the local mechanism of causing venous and arterial occlusions. Ocular hypertension and glaucoma are risk factors significantly associated with pathogenesis of central retinal vein occlusion. Therapy with anticoagulants and platelet anti-aggregating agents exposes the patient to developing central retinal vein occlusion influencing also adversely the visual outcome without having any evidence of protective or beneficial effect.