Retinal vein occlusion occurs when one of the blood vessels in the retina gets blocked.
Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO) occurs when there is blockage of one of the branch vessels in blocked. Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) occurs when the main/ central retinal vein is blocked.
What are the symptoms with RVO?
Small BRVO may not cause any symptoms. RVO associated with macular edema can cause blurred vision, loss of central vision, distortion of vision. RVO associated with vitreous haemorrhage can cause floaters. Occasionally, there may be eye pain resulting from high intraocular pressures.
Why does RVO develop?
RVO is caused due to ageing and cardiovascular risk factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoking. Occasionally, RVO can be caused due to inflammation in the eye or abnormal blood clotting.
How is RVO diagnosed ?
RVO is diagnosed by clinical examination. Either all or some of these investigations will be performed at Northern Eye Specialists to aid diagnosis and management of RVO.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), scan of the layers of the retina
- OCT Angiography, a non-invasive scan of the blood vessels in the retina
- Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA), photographs of the retinal vessels performed after injecting a dye in your arm
How is RVO treated?
The underlying cause including high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol needs to be managed appropriately in collaboration with your general practitioner. Smokers are advised to quit smoking. to help reduce the risk of recurrence of a retinal vein occlusion.
Patients with macular edema will need treatment with intravitreal anti VEGF injections or steroid injections. Occasionally, laser surgery will be advised for macular edema or to prevent/treat bleeding in the eye.
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) occurs when the main/central retinal vein is blocked
