Pattern and Associated Factors for Retinal Vein Occlusion at Muhimbili National Hospital

Abstract

Retina vein occlusion (RVO) is among the common causes of visual impairment and blindness especially in middle age and elderly individuals, after diabetic retinopathy. Impaired vision can impact on the ability to carry out everyday tasks, the ability to work, the ability to lead an active social life. RVO is associated with systemic diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Other associated factors include increasing age, glaucoma, peripheral vascular disease, and active cigarette smoking. Knowing the pattern of RVO and associated factors in our setting aids in prompt diagnosis of treatable causes of visual morbidity. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the pattern and associated factors for RVO, in patient with RVO attending the retina clinic at Muhimbili National Hospital. Methodology: A hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Retina clinic, Muhimbili National Hospital, from June to December 2020. A total of 73 adults aged 18 years and above were enrolled into the study. A detailed history, ophthalmic and systemic examinations, laboratory invetigation and optic coherence tomography were performed. Results: A total of 73 participants with 76 eyes were analyzed. Age ranged from 18 to 85 years with mean age of 60.87±22.3 years. The proportion of RVO was 7.9%. The proportion of retinal vein occlusion increased with increasing age, with more than half (56.1%) of participants being in the age group of 61 years and above. There were more males than females. Majority of the eyes 39(51.3%) had central retinal vein occlusion, 33(43.4%) eyes had branch retinal vein occlusion, and 4 (5.3%) eyes had hemi retinal vein occlusion. Ischemic retinal vein occlusion was seen in 2(6.1%) eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion and 18(46.1%) eyes with central retinal vein occlusion. The common comorbidity were hypertension sixty five (89.0%), hyperlipidemia fifty three (72.6%), diabetes mellitus 46 (49.3%) and glaucoma 15 (20.6%). Thirty (41%) patients with retinal vein occlusion, actively smoked cigarette. Severe visual impairment and blindness were seen in more than vi half of the eyes 40(52.6%) and 34(87.2%) eyes were due to CRVO. Conclusion: Retinal Vein Occlusion is a significant cause of visual impairment and blindness. The highest proportion of RVO was seen in patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia and increasing age. Therefore early identification of the associated factors for RVO and prompt treatment to reduce the incidence of RVO and the complications is recommended.