Prevalence of Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO) in Individuals Under 30 Years
Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) is extremely rare in individuals under 30 years of age, as the condition predominantly affects older adults with the prevalence increasing significantly with advancing age. While specific prevalence data for the under-30 population is not explicitly stated in the available evidence, the epidemiological patterns clearly indicate that BRVO is uncommon in young adults.
Epidemiology of BRVO
- BRVO is the most common type of retinal vein occlusion, occurring 3-6 times more frequently than central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) 1, 2
- Overall prevalence of BRVO in the general adult population (aged 30 and older) is approximately 4.42 per 1000 people 3
- Another study reports an incidence of 0.5% to 1.2% in the general population 4
Age Distribution
The evidence strongly indicates that BRVO is predominantly a condition affecting older adults:
- Advancing age is identified as a basic risk factor for RVO 2
- The pooled analysis of population studies included participants aged 30-101 years, with prevalence increasing with age 3
- BRVO patients were significantly older (mean age 55 ± 9 years) compared to CRVO patients (47 ± 15 years) 5
Risk Factors Relevant to Young Adults
The low prevalence in young adults correlates with the risk factor profile of BRVO:
Major risk factors include:
- Hypertension
- Arteriosclerosis
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hyperlipidemia
- Metabolic syndrome 2
These conditions are less common in individuals under 30 years
In younger patients who do develop BRVO, investigation for less common risk factors may be warranted:
- Thrombophilic conditions (factor V Leiden mutation, hyperhomocysteinemia)
- Inflammatory conditions (vasculitis, Behcet disease)
- Ocular hypertension 2
Ethnic Variations
While age remains the dominant factor, ethnic variations in BRVO prevalence exist:
- Age- and sex-standardized prevalence per 1000 people:
- Whites: 3.7
- Blacks: 3.9
- Asians: 5.7
- Hispanics: 6.9 3
Clinical Implications
For clinicians encountering BRVO in patients under 30 years:
- This represents an atypical presentation warranting thorough investigation
- Consider screening for congenital thrombophilic disorders, inflammatory conditions, and other systemic diseases
- Early identification and management of modifiable risk factors is crucial to prevent recurrence and complications
The rarity of BRVO in young adults underscores the importance of considering alternative diagnoses when young patients present with retinal hemorrhages or visual disturbances that might mimic BRVO.