AIM: To explore the relationship of central retinal vein occlusion(CRVO)and atherosclerosis(AS).

METHODS: Fifty cases of CRVO patients were chosen as the observation group in our hospital from October 2012 to October 2014, other 50 patients with AS(non-CRVO)as control group. In the control group, 22 cases of AS mild stenosis, moderate stenosis in 24 cases, 4 cases of severe stenosis(3 cases implanted stent). According to the severity, two grade prevention primary prevention therapy, and cerebral vascular disease treating stroke, corresponding drug treatment was undergone. Two groups of patients were performed cervical carotid artery color Doppler ultrasound examination, including assessing plaque, carotid artery intima-media thickness(IMT), the degree of stenosis of internal carotid artery blood flow velocity and the systolic peak(PSV), end diastolic blood flow velocity(EDV), resistance index(RI)values for kinetic parameters etc. All the indexes of the two groups were compared with color Doppler ultrasound examination results, to evaluate the correlation between CRVO and AS.

RESULTS: In the observation group, 15 cases were detected of carotid artery with mild stenosis, 28 cases of arterial diameter reduced <50%, carotid artery moderate stenosis, arterial diameter was reduced from 50%～69%, 6 cases of carotid artery stenosis, arterial diameter was reduced from 70%～99%, 1 patient with ipsilateral carotid artery near occlusion. In the control group, 22 cases were of AS mild stenosis, moderate stenosis in 24 cases, 4 cases of severe stenosis(3 cases implanted stent). The eyes with CRVO increased IMT, PSV and EDV decreased, RI value increased(P<0.05). Compared with the control group, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus in observation group were statistically significant difference(P<0.05). The control group of 2a of follow-up showed no recurrence during CRVO.

CONCLUSION: CRVO and AS are highly correlated, the neck of Doppler ultrasound examination can clearly reflect the central retinal vein blood supply, the standard treatment for AS disease, can reduce the risk of CRVO, with certain clinical significance.