Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish whether the factor V Leiden mutation and the prothrombin 20210 G:A mutation were risk factors for retinal vein occlusion.
Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 40 patients with retinal vein occlusion and from 50 healthy normal volunteers as controls. Polymerase chain reaction assays were done to detect factor V Leiden and prothrombin 20210 G:A mutations, and the two groups were compared.
Results: Two (5%) of 40 patients with retinal vein occlusion and three (6%) of 50 controls were heterozygous for factor V Leiden (p=0.84). None of the individuals in either group had the prothrombin 20210 G:A mutation.
Conclusions: There was no significant association between retinal vein occlusion and the factor V Leiden mutation.