ASSOCIATION OF PRIMARY GLAUCOMA WITH RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION IN PATIENTS ATTENDING TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Abstract

Background: Retinal vascular occlusion refers to vein or arterial occlusion. It may be central or branch vein occlusion. Retinal vein occlusion may not be a expression of a single disease but a clinical phenomenon common to several diseases like Diabetes Mellitus, Systemic arterial hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia and many others. An association between primary glaucoma and retinal vein occlusion was first reported by Verhoeff, who postulated that the critical factor responsible for these changes is the increased intraocular pressure compressing and collapsing the wall of retinal vein, hence leading to the intimal proliferation in the vein.

Methods: A prospective study was done on 40 patients with retinal vein occlusion, visual acuity, slit-lamp examination to assess the depth of anterior chamber, recording of intraocular pressure, gonioscopic examination, detailed fundus evaluation were done. Visual field analysis was done with Humphreys perimeter. Results: Out of 40 patients, 16 patients had central retinal vein occlusion ,3 patients had hemi retinal vein occlusion  and 21patients had branch retinal vein occlusion .Among  40 patients 27.5% had glaucoma and 72.5% glaucoma was absent. Out of 16 patients of central retinal vein occlusion, 6 patients had primary open angle glaucoma and 1 patient had primary angle closure glaucoma. Conclusion: Primary glaucoma and retinal vein occlusion are important causes of blindness. Its early detection and timely intervention remains the key to prevent visual deterioration from these two diseases. Good control of intraocular pressure in a patient known to have glaucoma may prevent occurrence of retinal vein occlusion.