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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors that may predict the development of cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Background Risk factors for RVO include hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes mellitus and vascular diseases, which are the same risk factors for CVAs. Materials and Methods Twenty patients with RVO (group A) and 20 normal controls with no history of RVO (group B) were examined and investigated using colour fundus photography and fluorescein angiography, carotid duplex ultrasonography and blood examinations for bleeding disorders, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidaemia. The risk for CVAs was evaluated in both groups during a follow-up period of 12 months. Results Four patients (20%) in group A suffered from some degree of CVA throughout the follow-up period, ranging from transient ischaemic attacks in three patients to cerebrovascular stroke in one patient. In contrast, none of the other control group individuals suffered any type of CVA during the follow-up period. Sixteen patients (80%) in the cases group had some degree of stenosis of their ipsilateral internal carotid artery (ICA), compared with only 12 individuals (60%) in the control group. The mean percentage degree of stenosis of the ipsilateral ICA detected by carotid ultrasonography in group A was 15.25%, whereas the mean percentage degree of stenosis in group B was 8%. Conclusion The number of individuals who had CVAs and some degree of stenosis of their ipsilateral ICA was higher in patients with RVO than in the control group, and the mean percentage degree of carotid stenosis was higher in group A than in group B.

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