Introduction: Retinal venous occlusion (RVO) is very common condition affecting retinal vasculature. It’s caused by localized atherosclerosis and often associated with systemic disorders. Regular tests showed Hyperhomocysteinemia is seen to be highly associated in patients with RVO along with other systemic causes. Mild to moderate homocysteine levels thought to cause atherosclerosis in Retinal vasculature by damaging the blood vessel wall. This study assesses the correlation between plasma homocysteine and retinal vein occlusion.

Materials and Methods: this was a progressive case-control based study conducted in Maharajah’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh over a period of 1 year. 58 patients with diagnosis of RVO were included in the study after exclusion criteria. Detailed ophthalmological examination along with plasma Homocysteine levels were checked along with coagulation and hematological tests. Patients were followed up for 1 year for progression of disease.

Results: there was a strong association between high levels of Homocysteine and RVO. A statistically significant association was found (p < 0.001) when compared to control. Analysis also revealed that prevalence of rise in plasma homocysteine levels in cases of Central Retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) (OR=13) compared to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO)(OR=5.03).

Conclusion: Hyperhomocysteinemia is more prevalent in CRVO than BRVO in our study subjects. So, treatment of Hyperhomocysteinemia by folic acid and Vitamin B12 supplementation in RVO patients should be considered.

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Dr Rajkumar Patra MS

Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Maharajah’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Nellimarla, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, India