title: Seeing through thick and through thin: Retinal manifestations of thrombophilic and hyperviscosity syndromes.
abstract: The presence of retinal vasculopathy in the absence of typical predisposing factors should suggest a possible underlying hematologic abnormality. In such cases, a systemic investigation may reveal a potentially fatal hypercoagulability or hyperviscosity syndrome. Retinal vein occlusion is the most commonly encountered ophthalmic finding in such syndromes; however, abnormalities of the arterial system, the choroid, and the macula are also possible. Visual symptoms may be the only manifestation of the underlying process, making timely diagnosis by the ophthalmologist critical for both treatment and thrombotic prophylaxis. Moreover, as newer ophthalmic diagnostic technologies arise, there is an increasingly important role for eye physicians in the management of such syndromes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA. Electronic address: rajagopalr@vision.wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Rithwick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rajagopal
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA. Electronic address: apte@vision.wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Rajendra S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Apte
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001809:Blood Viscosity; D004903:Erythrocyte Aggregation; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence
keywords: factor V Leiden; hyperhomocysteinemia; indocyanine green angiography; lymphoplasmacytic leukemia; macular edema; polycythemia; prothrombin G20210A; retinal vein occlusion; serous choroidal detachment