ESSENTIAL THROMBOCYTHEMIA AND CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION WITH NEOVASCULAR GLAUCOMA

PURPOSE: We report a case of unilateral central retinal vein occlusion resulting from essential thrombocythemia, a rare myeloproliferative d isorder with abnormally increased platelet count. METHODS: A 59-year-o ld man had central retinal vein occlusion in the left eye as the initi al sign of essential thrombocythemia, He later developed neovascular g laucoma and optic disk neovascularization. RESULTS: Laser panretinal p hotocoagulation, goniophotocoagulation, glaucoma medications, and cont rol of the platelet count were effective treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Early thrombocythemia is associated with systemic and ocular thrombotic and embolic complications. Early diagnosis, recognition of ocular complic ations, and appropriate treatment were crucial in controlling central retinal vein occlusion and ocular neovascularization associated with e ssential thrombocythemia.