Retinal Vein Occlusion Details
A blockage of the small veins that carry blood away from the retina, causing vision loss.
Book ConsultationWhat is Retinal Vein Occlusion?
Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a common vascular disorder of the retina and the second most common cause of vision loss from retinal vascular disease after diabetic retinopathy. It occurs when one of the veins that carry blood away from the retina becomes blocked, causing blood and fluid to back up and leak into the retina. This leads to swelling (macular edema), reduced blood flow, and vision loss. There are two main types: central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), which affects the main retinal vein, and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), which affects one of the smaller branch veins. RVO is more common in people over 60 and is often associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, and cardiovascular disease.
Retinal Vein Occlusion Symptoms
- Sudden, painless blurring or loss of vision in one eye
- Visual distortion or metamorphopsia
- Floaters in the field of vision
- Partial or complete vision loss depending on the severity and location of the blockage
- In some cases, symptoms may develop gradually over days or weeks
- Changes in color perception
Retinal Vein Occlusion Causes
- High blood pressure (hypertension) — the most common risk factor
- Atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of arteries)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Glaucoma
- Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol)
- Blood clotting disorders
- Obstruction from adjacent hardened arteries compressing the vein
- Smoking
- Age over 60 years
- Inflammatory conditions such as vasculitis
Treatment for Retinal Vein Occlusion
- Anti-VEGF injections (e.g., ranibizumab, aflibercept) to reduce macular edema
- Corticosteroid injections or implants (e.g., dexamethasone implant)
- Laser photocoagulation to seal leaking blood vessels
- Panretinal photocoagulation for neovascularization
- Management of underlying risk factors (blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol)
- Anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy in select cases
- Regular monitoring with OCT scans to assess treatment response
- Low vision aids for persistent vision loss
When to See a Doctor
Seek immediate ophthalmic evaluation if you experience sudden painless vision loss or blurring in one eye. While retinal vein occlusion itself is not an emergency requiring same-day surgery, prompt diagnosis and treatment within days to weeks can significantly improve outcomes. Additionally, because RVO is often a sign of systemic vascular disease, your doctor may recommend evaluation by an internist or cardiologist to assess and manage underlying cardiovascular risk factors.
Related Conditions
A condition where the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object.
A clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye, leading to decreased vision.
Inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin clear tissue that lies over the white part of the eye.
A diabetes complication that affects the eyes, caused by damage to blood vessels of the retina.
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