Clinically Significant Intravascular Red Cell Aggregation

Abstract

When the bulbar conjuctiva is examined at a magnification of 25, the presence of arteriolar red cell aggregation (RCA) in 2 or more arterioles in each of the temporal and nasal sides of both eyes is significant of systemic disease. RCA in venules and capillaries is not necessarily significant of systemic disease. The correlation between an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 20 or more in the first hour and significant RCA is not close, for in one-third of the patients there is a discrepancy between the tests. The test with the abnormal result usually better reflects the clinical state. Results for erythrocyte sedimentation rate and RCA both done on the same morning in any one patient are given for 300 persons with a variety of clinical conditions. If capillary conjunctival microscopy is done as a routine test, significant RCA will truly indicate systemic disease in an appreciable number of persons in whom the sedimentation rate is not high.