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Purpose: To evaluate prospectively the frequency with which exfoliation syndrome (XFS) occurs in patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) by clinical examination and ultrastructural examination of conjunctival biopsy specimens. Methods: Prospective observational case series. Thirty-six eyes of 36 consecutive patients with CRVO were investigated for XFS by slit-lamp examination and conjunctival biopsy when XFS was not clinically visible on examination. Results: A clinical diagnosis of XFS or a positive biopsy result for exfoliation material (XFM) was present in 22 of the 36 patients (61%; 95% confidence interval 45-75%). Twelve of these 22 patients (54%) had a clinical diagnosis of XFS. Aggregates of XFM were identified ultrastructurally in the biopsy specimens in 10 of 24 patients with no clinical signs of XFS (42%). Patients with and without XFS had similar distribution of age, gender, race and prevalence of systemic disorders. Twelve of the 22 (54%) XFS patients had neither glaucoma nor ocular hypertension prior to the CRVO. Conclusion: In accordance with previous retrospective and histological studies, this prospective, in vivo study suggests that CRVO is commonly associated with XFS.
R. Ritch. Glaucoma Service, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, 310 East 14th Street, New York City, NY 10003, United States. ritchmd@earthlink.net
9.4.4.1 Exfoliation syndrome (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.4 Glaucomas associated with other ocular and systemic disorders > 9.4.4 Glaucomas associated with disorders of the lens)