Impending central retinal vein occlusion associated with increased platelet aggregability.

A case is presented of an impending central retinal vein occlusion, venous stasis retinopathy, seen in an otherwise healthy 57-year-old woman. The patient demonstrated hyperactive platelets when tested for primary and secondary aggregation. Coagulation tests and platelet count were normal. It is proposed that such an abnormality in platelet function, when present, can be an important factor in the pathogenesis of impending central retinal venous occlusion. Antiplatelet therapy may be used in the management of this hemodynamic alteration.