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There are many common eye diseases that have the potential to permanently harm your eyes and reduce your vision, but the second most common condition of the eyes, retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is not that well known. Affecting over 16 million people around the world, retinal vein occlusion occurs when the small blood vessels carrying blood from the retina become blocked. It is a serious condition that requires immediate care. Unfortunately, there is no cure that will reduce the blockage completely, so prevention is always the best medicine. To ensure you don’t have to come and see the OCLI Vision experts for a blocked retinal vein, let’s look at what retina vein occlusion is and how you can prevent it from happening to you.
What Is a Retinal Vein Occlusion?
A retinal vein occlusion is when the central blood vessel or branch vessels located in the retina become blocked. The retina is a small section of tissue in the back of your eye that translates light into images and sends the information to your brain, allowing you to see. There are small veins that carry blood out of the retina, and when the main vein or a smaller branch vein becomes blocked it causes what’s called a retinal vein occlusion. The vein may become blocked due to blood clotting in the eye, foreign bodies, or pressure from another vein.
There are two types of retinal vein occlusion, branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), the most common, and central retinal occlusion (CRVO), when the central or main vein in the retina becomes blocked. When you develop a retinal occlusion, abnormal blood vessels may start to appear in your iris and in the retina which can create additional pain and pressure, causing more serious problems such as retinal detachments. Blood clot in eye symptoms usually include blurry vision, vision loss in one eye, and pain and pressure in the eye.
A retinal vein occlusion is a type of vascular occlusion, a vascular occlusion can occur anywhere in the body and is when a blood vessel becomes blocked, which can lead to tissue damage or tissue death. Unfortunately, a retinal vein occlusion is one of the most common ways for people to lose their vision, so it’s important to seek care right away if you suspect something is wrong with your vision.
What Are the Risk Factors for Developing Retinal Vein Occlusion?
Unfortunately, more information is needed to determine the exact cause of retinal vein occlusion. However, if you have any of the following risk factors, you are more likely to develop the condition:
- Diabetes
- Heart attacks
- High blood pressure
- Glaucoma
- Other diseases related to blood vessels
Additionally, those that are overweight or obese are also more likely to develop RVO. Most of the risk factors above cause problems with blood circulation and pressure which can cause, not just a retinal occlusion, but a vascular occlusion elsewhere in the body. If you have any of the risk factors listed above for a retinal vein occlusion, talk to your ophthalmologist about reducing your risk for serious eye conditions, including diabetes related retinopathy, glaucoma, and more.
How Is Retinal Occlusion Diagnosed?
When you come into the OCLI Vision office, the team will get to work right away to prevent further damage to the eye. When you call for an appointment, be sure to request the soonest possible appointment to catch problems early. Your ophthalmologist will start by dilating your eye and using a special lens to see the inner structures of your eye. They may also employ the following procedures and tools:
- Fluorescein angiography – this allows the ophthalmologist to see the retina more clearly by injecting a yellow dye into the body. A special camera is then used to capture images of the dye as it travels through the blood vessels of the eye. This will pinpoint any blockages.
- Optical coherence tomography – This device is used to capture a detailed picture of your retina, allowing your eye doctor to identify any areas of inflammation or blockages.
Treatment Options for Retinal Vein Occlusion
It’s important to understand that there is no way to completely cure the blockage of a blood vessel in the retina. There are treatments available to reduce symptoms and lessen the risks associated with the condition, including vision loss. Your ophthalmologist will help determine which treatment option will be the most effective after performing a complete exam. Treatments for retinal vein occlusion include:
- Medication – Sometimes ophthalmologists will inject steroid medication or anti-VEGF drugs into the eye to reduce selling, slow vision loss, and improve blurry vision.
- Laser treatments – Lasers are central to the treatment of many eye conditions. For retinal vein occlusions, a treatment called panretinal photocoagulation creates burns in the retina to reduce bleeding and high pressure.
- Lifestyle changes – While not a quick fix, lifestyle changes can prevent the development of diabetes, glaucoma, and high blood pressure which can all lead to retinal vein occlusion. It’s important to speak to your doctor about protecting your vision as you age. Exercising regularly and eating an eye-healthy diet can go a long way towards ensuring you have healthy eyes for many years.
If you are interested in learning more about treatments for retinal vein occlusion or suspect you may have a blocked vein, contact one of the many OCLI Vision locations around the country to meet with an expert ophthalmologist. Our team is standing by to help you achieve your best vision yet.
How Long Does Retinal Vein Occlusion Last?
A blocked blood vessel is a very serious medical condition and should not be taken lightly. The blood vessels in your retina are especially important to your vision. If you notice changing vision or eye pain or pressure, do not wait to contact your eye doctor. It is always better to err on the side of caution and have your eyes checked for problems than to wait and risk vision loss.
Visit an eye care clinic regularly for eye exams to prevent damaging eye conditions from developing unawares. Call OCLI Vision today to get care for an occluded vein or to schedule a regular eye examination.
When to Book an Appointment with OCLI Vision
Each OCLI Vision across the country provides patient-first care using state-of-the-art diagnostic tools from expert eye care professionals. We believe in accessible and long-term care to ensure your vision stays clear and your eyes stay healthy. Contact the office nearest you to schedule a consultation today.
