ACTIVATED PROTEIN-C RESISTANCE IN YOUNG-ADULTS WITH CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION

Background-Central retinal vein occlusion is a disease that is most co mmon in old people. While the disease in old people often is associate d with atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, or glaucoma, this is m uch less evident in young people. However, a new defect in the anticoa gulant system has recently been discovered, activated protein C resist ance. This hereditary defect may well be associated with central retin al vein occlusion, and so this factor was analysed in patients younger than 50 years with a history of central retinal vein occlusion. Metho ds-Blood samples were obtained from 31 patients younger than 50 years with a history of central retinal vein occlusion, and analysed for act ivated protein C resistance with standard clinical laboratory methods. Results-In this material 26% of all the patients and 36% of the patie nts younger than 45 years were resistant to activated protein C. The n ormal incidence of activated protein C resistance is 2-7%. Conclusion- Activated protein C resistance seems to be the most common known cause of central retinal vein occlusion in young people.