Correlation between imaging morphological findings and laboratory biomarkers in patients with retinal vein occlusion

Abstract

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the potential association between peripheral blood biomarkers and morphological characteristics of retinal imaging in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO).MethodsParticipants in this cross‐sectional observational study were 65 consecutive patients (65 eyes) with treatment naïve RVO, who underwent spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA). In addition, peripheral blood samples were taken to evaluate full blood count and biochemical parameters. Correlation between imaging characteristics and laboratory parameters was examined.ResultsEyes with subretinal fluid presented significantly higher neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.028). Hyperreflective foci on SD‐OCT were found to be associated with higher triglycerides (p = 0.024). Presence of cysts on SD‐OCT was associated with significantly higher triglycerides (p = 0.010). Central subfield thickness (CST) higher than 464 μm was associated with higher lymphocyte count (p = 0.016) and higher urea (p = 0.015). No significant associations were found between laboratory parameters and intraretinal fluid, ellipsoid zone and external limiting membrane condition, epiretinal membrane and macular ischemia.ConclusionsSpecific imaging morphological characteristics were found to be associated with laboratory parameters in patients with RVO. These findings may scrutinize the pathophysiology of RVO and its correlation with the development of specific clinical signs, while they could guide individualized treatment.