Retinal Vein Occlusion: Clinical Profile and Risk Factors Among Patients in University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a leading cause of acute visual loss and is strongly associated with systemic cardiovascular risk factors. Clinical data on RVO from Nigeria's North Central zone are scarce, limiting the ability to design targeted prevention and management strategies. This study characterizes the clinical profile and systemic risk factors of RVO patients attending the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Kwara State. A cross-sectional descriptive study will be conducted, recruiting 180 patients diagnosed with central or branch retinal vein occlusion over a four-year retrospective period. Data will be extracted from clinical records and supplemented by current examination findings, including retinal imaging, visual acuity, and macular OCT. Systemic risk factor data including hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hyperhomocysteinemia will be documented. Logistic regression will identify predictors of bilateral involvement and worse visual outcomes. The study expects to find hypertension as the strongest systemic risk factor, with a disproportionate burden of central RVO. Findings will be submitted to the UITH retina service and Kwara State Ministry of Health to improve prevention strategies for RVO within hypertension management programs. This research contributes to the retinal vascular disease literature in Nigeria's North Central zone and provides a clinical basis for risk stratification and follow-up protocols in RVO management. Keywords: retinal vein occlusion, clinical profile, risk factors, Kwara State, vascular retinopathy