[Isovolemic hemodilution in central retinal vein occlusion in patients less than 50 years of age].

AIM--Aim of the study was investigation of the effect of isovolemic hemodilution in patients younger than 50 years on the course of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and to compare these results with those of older patients with CRVO. PATIENTS AND METHODS--We performed a prospective study on 35 patients younger than 50 years who were suffering from a central retinal vein occlusion. These patients were all treated by isovolemic hemodilution and compared to a group of older patients with CRVO with the same treatment. RESULTS--About 66% of the younger patients were men compared to only 46% in older patients. At least two cardiovascular risk factors were present in 8.5% of the younger and 54% of the older patients. 16 eyes showed the ischemic, 19 the nonischemic type of CRVO, a similar distribution as in older patients. The course of the disease was more favourable in younger patients, although ocular complications may occur in ischemic CRVO. Isovolemic hemodilution did not change the initial visual acuity of eyes with nonischemic CRVO, but led to an improvement in 56% of the eyes with ischemic CRVO. This means only a minor difference to the course of CRVO in hemodiluted older patients. CONCLUSION--In general, there is no principal difference between the CRVO in younger and older patients, but the course is more favourable in younger patients. On the basis of these findings we recommend isovolemic hemodilution in younger patients with ischemic CRVO.