Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion Is Associated with Prior Hypertension and Diabetes

Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) is caused by compression of a branch retinal vein by a thickened retinal artery and thrombosis, which result in hemorrhage and vision loss. Prior research has linked diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and smoking with BRVO. In this case-control study with prospective follow-up, Danish investigators determined comorbidities before and after diagnoses of BRVO.

Nearly 1170 patients with BRVO and 117,000 controls were evaluated. Risk for developing BRVO increased with age (peak age, 70–79). Age- and sex-adjusted analysis showed that hypertension (odds ratio, 2.2), cardiovascular disease (OR, 2.1), peripheral artery disease (OR, 1.8), and diabetes (OR, 1.7) at 1 or 10 years before BRVO diagnosis were significant…