Studies have shown that retinal vein obstruction is closely related to systemic vascular disease, for example 48% of retinal vein obstruction can be attributed to hypertension, 20% to hyperlipidaemia and 5% to diabetes.
In addition, the following high-risk factors can contribute to the development of retinal vein obstruction.
Hyperhomocysteinemia, coagulation disorders (high plasma viscosity such as leukaemia, myeloma, Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinopathy, myelofibrosis, Leiden’s coagulation factor V), systemic inflammatory diseases (Behcets disease, polyarteritis nodosa, Wegener’s granulomatosis, nodular disease, SLE, Goodpasture’s syndrome), alcoholism syndrome), alcoholism, use of oestrogens (oral contraceptives), dehydration and fasting, respiratory distress syndrome, antipsychotic drugs, local ophthalmic risk factors (glaucoma, short eye axis, retrobulbar pressure, etc.).