Objective: The aim of this article was to present the influence of hemorheological factors on appearance of Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO). Article explains which factors predispose to the occurrence of RVO.
Study selection: Data presented in the article were collected from both review articles and research articles as well as other sources concerning hemorheology, pharmacology and ophthalmology.
Results: Appearance of RVO is connected with blood viscosity and hemorheological parametres like aggregation of red blood cells, deformability of red blood cells, fibrinogen concentrations and haematocrit, and platelet activity. In the pathogenesis of retinal vein occlusion other risk factors were also indicated: age, systemic diseases and smoking. Such correlation has been indicated in numerous researches which were conducted over the last years. RVO is usually accompanied by macular oedema. RVO may successfully be treated using intravitreal dexamethasone implant.
Conclusion: Quick diagnosis and therapy create a possibility for successful treatment. Corticosteroid positive influence on visual acuity improvement has been indicted in two randomized, double-blind controlled studies - CRUISE and BRAVO. In both studies, the improvement of vision has been accompanied by a significant reduction of oedema in the vicinity of macula, reflected in the central retinal thickness.
Keywords: Hemorheology; blood viscosity; retinal vein occlusion; thrombosis.