Abstract

Purpose: We investigated the role of factor V Leiden mutation in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Method: Factor V Leiden mutation was investigated in DNA obtained from the peripheral blood of 30 patients, diagnosed with retinal vein occlusion. Twelve of the patients had central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), and 18 patients had branchal retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). The control groups comprised of 30 healthy individuals. The frequencies of factor V Leiden was compared between the patients and the controls using Fisher's exact test.

Results: DNA analysis showed that only 2 patients (6.6%) were heterozygous carriers of factor V Leiden. None of the patients were found to be homozygous. In the control group, 2 (6.6%) were heterozygous carriers of factor V Leiden. The difference in frequencies of factor V Leiden mutation between the patients and the controls was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: We could not showed a significant association between retinal vein occlusion and the factor V Leiden mutation.