Walsh & Hoyt: Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

Occlusion of one or more of the retinal branch veins is a common cause of retinal vascular disease. This condition equally affects men and woman, and usually occurs in patients from 60 to 70 years of age. It is typically a unilateral condition; only about 10% of patients will develop a BRVO occlusion in the fellow eye in the future. There are no predictive features regarding such an occurrence, nor are there any known preventive measures. BRVO usually occurs in patients with systemic hypertension or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; however, there is no firm evidence that any systemic disease plays a pathogenetic role in the condition. Occasional anecdotal reports document the association of BRVO with some form of thrombophilia.