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Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)
Arteries and veins carry blood throughout the eyes. The eye has one main artery and one main vein that each have multiple branches. When the main retinal vein becomes blocked, it is called central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). If only a branch vein is occluded, the condition is called branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). When the vein is blocked, blood and fluid spills out into the retina. The macula can swell from this fluid, affecting your central vision. Eventually, without blood circulation, nerve cells in the eye can die and you can lose more vision.
The most common symptom of retinal vein occlusion is vision loss or blurry vision in part or all of one eye. It can happen suddenly or become worse over several hours or days.
RVO Treatment
The blocked vein in RVO cannot be unblocked. The main goal of treatment is to keep your vision stable. This is usually done by sealing off any leaking blood vessels in the retina. This helps prevent further swelling of the macula. RVO can be treated with injection of certain medications into the eye called anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) drugs (Avastin, Lucentis, Eylea). Anti-VEGF treatment helps reduce the number of abnormal blood vessels in your retina and prevent them from leaking fluid or blood. This medicine is delivered to your eye through a very slender needle injection under aseptic (clean) conditions.
If your RVO is very severe, you may need to have a form of laser surgery. This is called panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) laser. A laser is used to make tiny burns to areas of the retina. This helps lower the chance of bleeding in the eye and keeps eye pressure from rising too much. Learn more about RVO here
Risk For Retinal Vein Occlusion
Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) usually happens in people who are aged 50 and older.
People who have the following health problems have a greater risk of RVO:
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- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- glaucoma
- hardening of the arteries (called arteriosclerosis)
Lower Your Risk for Central Retinal Vein Occlusion
- Eat a low-fat diet
- Get regular exercise
- Maintain an ideal weight
- Don’t smoke
02.Cataract
Inside our eyes, we have a natural lens. The lens bends (refracts) light rays that come into the eye to help us see.
03.Age-related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a problem with your retina. It happens when the central part of the retina called the macula is damaged.
04.Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a potential complication in patients with Diabetes.
05.Retina Vein Occlusion (RVO)
Arteries and veins carry blood throughout the eyes. The eye has one main artery and one main vein that each have multiple branches.
06.Floaters & Flashes
You will need a dilated eye exama if you have new onset of or changes in floater size or quantity or if you see flashes of light.
07.Retinal Tear & Detachment
The retina is the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of our eye. The retina converts the light rays into impulses that travel through the optic nerve to our brain, where they are interpreted as the images we see.
08.Macular Hole
Macular hole is when a tear or opening forms in your macula. As the hole forms, things in your central vision will look blurry, wavy or distorted.
09.Macular Pucker
Macular pucker (also knows as Epiretinal Membrane or ERM) happens when wrinkles, creases or bulges form on your macula.
10.Uveitis
Uveitis occurs when the middle layer of the eyeball gets inflamed (red and swollen). This layer, called the uvea, has many blood vessels that nourish the eye.
11.Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease that damages your eye’s optic nerve. It usually happens when fluid builds up in the front part of your eye.
12.Cosmetics
Frame your eyes with lashes that can not be ignored!
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Dr. Malihi
Dr. Malihi is board certified in Ophthalmology and a fellow member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), Oregon Academy of Ophthalmology (OAO) and the American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE) . He is the founder of NELSI, INC., an eye care center in Portland, Oregon.