RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSIONS - CASE REVIEWS OF USAF AVIATORS

Retinal vein occlusions are primarily a disease of the elderly, freque ntly with permanent visual abnormalities. However, both branch and cen tral retinal vein occlusions occur rarely in young individuals. Report ed here are a series of retinal vein occlusions in USAF aviators. Seve n cases were identified from records of the USAF Armstrong Laboratory Aeromedical Consultation Service from 1976-91. Four cases of central r etinal vein occlusions and three cases of branch occlusions are summar ized. initial visual acuity ranged from 20/15 to 20/400. All seven avi ators recovered 20/15 vision and returned to flying status. Hyperlipid emia was found in four of the seven aviators, and hypertension was dia gnosed in two aviators. Included is a discussion of current concepts i n the natural history, associated systemic conditions, treatment optio ns, and aeromedical implications of retinal vein occlusions.