Glaucoma Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Glaucoma, including details on cataracts, surgery, treatment, blindness.

The relationship of optic disk cupping to retinal vein occlusion: the Beaver Dam Eye Study.

Klein BE, Meuer SM, Knudtson MD, Klein R

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin Medical School, 610 North Walnut Street, Madison, WI 53726, USA. kleinb@epi.ophth.wisc.edu

PURPOSE: To examine the association between optic disk cupping and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). DESIGN: Prospective epidemiologic study. METHODS: setting: Population-based prospective study in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. study population: Adults aged 43 to 86 years at baseline (n = 4926). observation procedures: Optic disk cupping and RVO were determined from retinal photographs. A standardized medical examination and questionnaire were administered. main outcome measure: Ten-year cumulative incidence of RVO. RESULTS: There were 58 persons who developed incident RVO at 5 (n = 31) or 10 (n = 27) years after the baseline examination. Those sustaining RVO were older, had higher intraocular pressure (IOP), and were more likely to have definite or probable glaucoma at the baseline examination. The odds of having an incident RVO increased with increasing cup-to-disk ratio at baseline (odds ratio [OR] = 1.29/0.1 increase in cup-to-disk ratio, 95% confidence interval 1.07, 1.56), while controlling for age, systolic blood pressure, current smoking, diabetes status, and IOP. A similar OR was found after excluding those with glaucoma. Excluding persons with central (as opposed to branch) vein occlusion did not have a significant effect on the OR. CONCLUSION: Cup-to-disk ratio is a significant predictor of risk of incident RVO.

Published 8 May 2006 in Am J Ophthalmol, 141(5): 859-62.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Glaucoma Research Today. All Rights Reserved.