AIM: To investigate the correlation of retinal vein occlusion(RVO)with blood lipids and carotid artery changes.

METHODS: Forty cases(40 eyes)with RVO who presented to Eye Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University between May 2013 and April 2014 were selected as the research objects. Proceeded blood lipids and color doppler ultrasonography examination, including total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), common carotid artery intima-media thickness, carotid plaques, internal carotid artery blood flow mechanics parameters were detected. Thirty eyes(30 cases)were enrolled as control underwent above examinations.

RESULTS: TC, TG, LDL-C of RVO group was obviously higher than those of the control group(P<0.05), while HDL-C level was obviously lower than that of the control group(P<0.05). Incidence of carotid artery plaque formation in RVO group was obviously higher than that in the control group. Intima-media thickness(IMT)of common carotid artery was obviously increased in RVO group(P<0.05). Both peak systolic velocity(PSV)and end diastolic velocity(EDV)of internal carotid artery reduced(P<0.05), and Resistance index(RI)increased(P<0.05). The eyes of the sick side and the contralateral carotid artery measured value had no statistical difference(P>0.05). There were also no statistical difference between ipsilateral and contralateral carotid artery measured value of control group(P>0.05).There were no differences in age, sex between RVO group and control group(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Lipid metabolism disorder, carotid artery changes is closely related to the pathogenesis of RVO.