Retinal Vein Occlusion

Retinal Vein Occlusion

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a blockage of the venous (vascular) system of the retina within the eye, which impedes blood flow. This condition can prevent adequate oxygen and nutrients from reaching the retina tissue, leading to serious eye problems. Here is a general patient information on retinal vein occlusion:

Symptoms:

  • Sudden blurry or reduced vision
  • Dark spots in the eye or loss of vision in the field of view
  • Pain or pressure sensation in the eye
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Changes in color vision

Risk Factors:

  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Diabetes
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • High cholesterol
  • Smoking
  • Advanced age

Causes:

  • Retinal vein occlusion often occurs due to clots, emboli, or changes within the structure of the vessel itself.

Diagnosis:

  • An eye doctor will diagnose retinal vein occlusion using an eye examination and imaging tests (optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography).

Treatment:

  • Treatment can vary depending on the cause of the blockage.
  • Anticoagulant medications (blood thinners) may be used to prevent blood clots in the eye.
  • Laser therapy or drug injections may be applied to control inflammation of the vessels or new vessel formation.
  • Management of systemic diseases can address the underlying cause of the occlusion.

Prognosis:

  • Retinal vein occlusion can be managed with early diagnosis and treatment but may cause vision loss.
  • When occlusion occurs in one eye, the risk increases for the other eye.

Retinal vein occlusion can be an emergency and may require immediate medical intervention. It is important for individuals who notice symptoms to consult an eye doctor promptly. Treatment can be more effective with early diagnosis and proper intervention, thus regular eye examinations are also important.