Hyperhomocysteinemia: a risk factor for central retinal vein occlusion.
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies have documented that elevated plasma homocysteine level is a risk factor for vascular disease. This study was performed to determine whether hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for central retinal vein occlusion.


METHODS
In a case-control study, data from 74 patients with documented central retinal vein occlusion were reassessed. Control subjects consisted of individuals referred to the same clinic for assessment of a nonretinal vascular disease. Hyperhomocysteinemia was defined as a total plasma homocysteine level above the 95th percentile in the control group.


RESULTS
The mean total plasma homocysteine level was 11.58 +/- 4.67 micromol/l (range, 5-26 micromol/l) for cases, and 9.49 +/- 2.65 micromol/l (range, 5-20 micromol/l) for control subjects. Of the 74 patients with a central retinal vein occlusion, 16 (21.6%) had total plasma homocysteine levels above the 95th percentile in the control group (odds ratio, 6.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.81-23.50; P =. 003). Hyperhomocysteinemia was present in five (55%) of the nine individuals with bilateral disease, nine (30%) of the 30 patients with ischemic occlusions, and 45 (31%) of the 83 eyes with severe visual loss.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for central retinal vein occlusion and may suggest a poor prognosis in patients with central retinal vein occlusion.
Vine
A K
AK
Retina Service, University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, USA.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011379:Prognosis; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors
D006710:Homocysteine