ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID-PROTEIN ANTIBODIES ARE NOT AN UNCOMMON FEATURE IN RETINAL VENOUS OCCLUSIONS

The Primary Antiphospholipid Protein Syndrome (PAPS) is characterised by venous and/or arterial thromboses and recurrent foetal loss, in the presence of the Lupus Anticoagulant (LA), elevated antibodies to card iolipin (ACA) or both. This investigation evaluates the relation betwe en the PAPS and Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO). Forty-eight consecutive patients with RVO were screened for ACA and LA. PAPS was present in 16 (33%) of the patients. Our results suggest that testing Antiphospholi pid-Protein Antibodies (APA) may be useful in these patients, together with the assessment of other vascular risk factors.