Abstract
Purpose: :
To describe the 15–year cumulative incidence of retinal vein occlusions (RVO) and their associated risk factors in a population–based study.
Methods: :
Of 4,926 persons, 43–86 years of age at the time of a baseline examination in 1988–1990, living in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, 3,684, 2,764, and 2,119 participated in 5, 10, and 15–year follow–up examinations, respectively. The presence and characteristics of retinal branch vein occlusions (RBVO) and retinal central vein occlusions (RCVO) were determined by masked graders using stereoscopic color fundus photographs. A standardized protocol including height, weight, blood pressure, intraocular pressure (IOP), blood studies and a medical history questionnaire was performed at each examination. Cumulative incidence was estimated by the product–limit method, and multivariable analyses performed by linear logistic modeling.
Results: :
Of the 3785 people at risk of developing a retinal vein occlusion, there were 81 (2.7%) incident RVO (77 monocular, 4 binocular). Age was associated with the incidence of RVO (1.5%, 2.0%, 5.1%, and 7.2% in subjects 43–54, 55–64, 65–74, and 75–86 years of age, respectively. p<0.0001). A similar relationship was found when looking at RBVO and RCVO independently. While controlling for age, the following were independently associated with the incidence of RVO: cup to disc ratio (1.22, 95% CI 1.03 – 1.44 per each 0.1 increase); presence of focal arteriolar narrowing (2.11, 95% CI 1.06 – 4.18); and current smoking (1.73, 95% CI 0.99 – 3.03). Gender, body mass, blood pressure, hypertension, IOP, history of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, alcohol, blood study results, and vascular caliber were not found to be significantly associated with the incidence of RVO.
Conclusions: :
. These population–based data suggest a strong association between increasing age and developing an RVO. While no systemic factors were significantly associated with the incidence of RVO, smoking may increase the risk. Combining data from other large population–based studies may provide further insights regarding the epidemiology of this condition.