Prevalence and predictors of carotid stenosis in Thai patients with ocular disorders

There are limited data on prevalence and predictors of carotid stenosis (CS) in Thai and Asian patients with ocular disorders. A total of 135 of 2849 patients enrolled in the Neurosonology Registry had an ocular indication (OI). Demographics, the nature of the OI, risk factors (RF), presence of CS >50% and non-stenotic carotid plaque (NSCP) were analyzed. The mean age of patients was 60.40 ± 14.02 years. The RF included hypertension (47.4%), hypercholesterolemia (34.07%), diabetes mellitus (DM) (31.11%) and current smoking (41.48%). NSCP was found in 20% of Thai patients with OD. CS was found in 11.11% (ipsilateral 10.37%). Predictors of CS were ocular ischemic syndrome (odds ratio [OR] 19.63, p = 0.000), retinal artery occlusion (OR 14.13, p = 0.000), anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (OR 9.75, p = 0.002), neovascularized glaucoma (OR 8.15, p = 0.018), and DM (OR 2.53, p = 0.037). The presence of CS (11.11%), and CS or NSCP (31%) are markers of atherosclerotic risk. The nature of the OI predicted carotid findings. Carotid ultrasound helps to identify the risk for cardiovascular events and should be considered in patients with OI.