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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Optimization of the Retinal Vein Occlusion Mouse Model to Limit Variability
Published on: August 6, 2021
Bilateral simultaneous central retinal vein occlusion secondary to hyperviscosity in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia
P Alexander1, D Flanagan, K Rege
1Department of Ophthalmology, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, UK. doctoralexander@gmail.com
Purpose:
Central retinal vein occlusions (CRVOs) are rarely treatable; most therapy is directed towards prevention or treatment of complications. Bilateral CRVO can be due to serum hyperviscosity, which affects 15% of all patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia (WM). Although previously reported in a handful of cases, bilateral CRVO is a rare presenting feature.
Patients And Methods:
Illustrated case reports of three patients presenting with bilateral CRVO due to undiagnosed WM.
Results:
Plasma exchange, which successfully restored vision in two patients, was followed by long-term cytotoxic therapy.
Conclusions:
Plasma electrophoresis should be performed in all patients with retinal vein occlusions to exclude a paraproteinaemia. In patients with bilateral venous changes, there should be a very high level of suspicion of hyperviscosity, with the possibility of effective early therapy.
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