Retinal Vein Occlusions

By Samuel H. Yun, MD

Samuel H. Yun Ophthalmology, PLC

. https://www.yuneyecare.com/

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Retinal Vein Occlusions

The retina is a thin nerve tissue in the back of the eye that captures images for the brain. Due to the large amount of information it processes, the retina and its surrounding tissue require an extraordinary amount of blood flow per tissue to function. Therefore, retinal vein occlusion can cause a devastating effect to the tissue. A common symptom of retinal vein occlusion is the sudden but painless loss of vision. Although many possible causes of retinal vein occlusion exist, its exact mechanism is still unknown.

Possible causes of retinal vein occlusion include a kink in the retinal vein, a blood clot formation, and/or reduced blood flow in damaged vessels, all of which contribute to the blockage of the blood flow. Patients who have diabetes or hypertension are more likely to develop retinal vein occlusion. Advancing age is a risk factor as well. In certain situations, however, a doctor may recommend blood tests to ensure the individual has no other systemic diseases that might increase blood clot formation in the body.

When retinal vein occlusion develops in patients, the visual prognosis is determined by a rule of thirds a third of patients will experience spontaneous improvement in vision, a third will remain the same, and the final third will experience a further loss of vision. Such vision loss is mainly due to the development of macular edema (swelling in the center part of the retina). To decrease the swelling and improve vision, the doctor may recommend injecting medicine into the eye. However, although such medicine might reduce swelling and improve vision, it is not a cure to the condition and additional injections are often needed.

Although a routine exam to screen for retinal vein occlusion is not necessary, an annual eye exam is a good idea for individuals who have diabetes or hypertension. Anyone who experiences an unexplained decrease in vision should seek medical help immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment of retinal vein occlusion can often avoid severe vision loss in most patients if treatment is initiated before severe damage in the eye occurs.