Normal retinal vasculature despite familial protein C deficiency.
OBJECTIVE
It is unclear whether protein C deficiency is associated with retinal venous occlusive disease.


METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Members of a protein C-deficient family, either deficient or nondeficient, with a history of nonocular venous thrombosis were included. All participants completed questionnaires regarding their medical and ophthalmic histories. Each subject underwent dilated direct ophthalmoscopic and binocular indirect ophthalmoscopic examinations by a single vitreoretinal specialist.


RESULTS
None of the 18 family members with a known history of nonocular thrombosis-12 with and 6 without protein C deficiency- manifested stigmas of recent or chronic retinal vascular occlusive disease.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed no evidence of involvement of the retinal vascular bed in a family with an increased risk of nonocular venous thrombosis attributable to the deficiency of protein C.
Vossen
Carla Y
CY
Department of Pathology, University of Vermont, 199 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401, USA.
Naud
Shelly
S
Bovill
Edwin G
EG
Weissgold
David J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D010375:Pedigree; D020151:Protein C Deficiency / Q000235:genetics*; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000209:etiology; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology