[Bilateral retinal vein occlusions and general risk factors].

A report on 12 patients with retinal vein occlusion in both eyes. In addition to advanced age (67 years on the average) the following risk factors were present, often in combination: hypertension, cardiac insufficiency, adiposity, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, hypercholesterinemia, diabetes mellitus etc. The rate of retinal circulation was determined by video fluorescein angiography. A pronounced decrease in visual acuity was observed in all patients with a slower retinal circulation rate. The causes of the decrease in central visual acuity were macular edema, neovascularization with vitreal hemorrhage and rubeosis iridis with secondary glaucoma.