Are there medical conditions specifically underlying the development of rubeosis in central retinal vein occlusion?

Two hundred and thirty five patients with central retinal vein occlusion (mean age 64.9 years, 95% CI (63.3, 66.5) years), comprising 221 white Europeans, 10 Asians and 4 West Indians) were studied over a 7 year period of whom 13.2% (n = 31) developed rubeosis (mean age 70.1 years, 95% CI (66.3, 73.9) years; all white Europeans). Comparisons were made with 31 of the original 235 CRVO patients who did not develop rubeosis, and who were individually matched for age, sex and ethnic origin. The 31 patients developing rubeosis were significantly older (p = 0.013) than the 204 patients not developing rubeosis (mean age 64.1 years, 95% CI (62.3, 65.9) years). There was no significant difference between the CRVO group with rubeosis and the uncomplicated matched CRVO group in the prevalence rates of hypertension (64.5% vs. 45.2%), hyperlipidaemia (48.4% vs. 38.7%) or diabetes mellitus (9.7% vs. 12.9%). We conclude that neovascular glaucoma is more likely to occur in older subjects with CRVO.