Influence of factor V Leiden on the development of neovascularisation secondary to central retinal vein occlusion.

AIMS To investigate if the presence of factor V Leiden has an influence on the prognosis in central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHODS 166 patients with CRVO were studied retrospectively. They were tested for factor V Leiden using DNA analysis. The presence of the mutation was studied in correlation with the development of neovascular complications 1 year after the thrombotic event. RESULTS 56 of 166 patients (34%) developed neovascular complications after 1 year. In the patients who had the studied mutation 11 of 20 (55%) had developed neovascular complications after 1 year, compared to 45 of 146 patients (31%) in the group without factor V Leiden (p=0.04). CONCLUSION The presence of factor V Leiden seems to enhance the risk of developing neovascular complications in CRVO.