Thrombophilia and Retina

Retinal vascular occlusions are one of the most common retinal diseases that cause vision loss. Thrombophilia is the tendency of the formation of thrombosis secondary to genetic or acquired factors. The most frequent thrombophilic disorders reported in retinal arterial and venous occlusions are Factor V Leiden mutation and Antiphospholipid Syndrome, whereas the least reported thrombophilic conditions are Anti-thrombin III, Protein S, and Protein C deficiencies. In addition, Hyperhomocysteinemia and Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase polymorphism are frequently seen. When retinal vascular occlusions are seen in elderly patients without any systemic diseases, in young patients, in patients with previous thromboembolic events or family thrombosis history, thrombophilia screening tests should be performed in detail.