Diabetes mellitus and retinal vein occlusion in patients of Asian, west Indian and white European origin.

The incidence of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is known to be related to several cardiovascular risk factors including diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia. We have assessed the prevalence of these risk factors in Caucasian (N = 536, mean age = 65.21 years), West Indians (N = 24, mean age = 57.3 years) and Asian (N = 28, mean age = 51.4 years) patients presenting with RVO. We found no significant differences between the three groups in the distribution of hyperlipidaemia, but diabetes mellitus was more common amongst both the Asians and W. Indians (10% v 29% and 38%, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001). Hypertension was also more common in both the Asians and the West Indians (59% v 64% and 83% m p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001). The Asians and West Indians presenting with RVO were significantly younger and had significantly higher body mass index than their Caucasian counterparts (Ethnic origin, BMI, mean age: Asian, 28.1 +/- 4.3, 51.5 +/- 12.3 years; West indian: 30.2 +/- 7.7, 57.3 + 10 years; White: 24.8 +/- 4.2, 65.2 +/- 11.4 years). In this study RVO occurred at a younger age in Asians and West Indians, and was associated with a greater prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The prevalence of hyperlipidaemia was no different in the three groups.