CRVO linked with Stroke

Patients who have had a retinal vein occlusion appear to have a greater risk of developing a stroke, according to data presented at last week's meeting of the American Society of Retina Specialists in Vancouver.

Dr Nancy Holekamp of Washington University explained how rates of angina, cardiac arrhythmia, diabetes, heart disease, acute thrombolytic events, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and cerebrovascular accident were all significantly higher among 4,500 patients with retinal vein occlusions compared with 13,500 age-matched controls. There was, however, no increased risk of myocardial infarction.