Thrombocytopenia and Retina

Platelets play a role in blood coagulation and wound healing. Thrombocytopenia is defined as a platelet count of less than 150000/mm3 in the peripheral blood. The most common cause of thrombocytopenia is increased destruction. Ocular involvement is rare in thrombocytopenia, and bleeding is the most common complication. The increased tendency to thrombosis observed in some types of thrombocytopenia causes occlusion in retinal arterioles, and this results in retinal ischemia. Combined systemic and ocular interventions are used in the treatment.