Systemic Vascular Endothelial Function in Patients with Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of our study was to evaluate peripheral vascular endothelial function in patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) by measuring flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). Materials and Methods: Our sample included 28 patients with CRVO (Group 1), 31 patients with systemic hypertension (Group 2) but no other systemic or ocular disease, and 29 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers (Group 3). We excluded participants with diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, renal dysfunction, or a smoking habit. A cardiologist assessed the responses of endothelial function in all participants by measuring the FMD following brachial artery occlusion. Results: In Doppler measurements of the brachial artery, the brachial artery FMD value was 5.7±2.2 % in Group 1, 7.9±3.1 % in Group 2, and 15.6±7.9 % in Group 3. The arterial FMD values were significantly lower in patients with CRVO compared with healthy and hypertensive groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that systemic endothelial dysfunction may be associated with CRVO.