Retinal vein occlusion
Retinal vein occlusion
What is the retina?
The retina is the inner layer of the eye, like the “bladder” of a soccer ball.
It is the part of the eye which detects light focused by the eye and transmits visual messages to the brain.
What is a retinal vein occlusion?
A retinal vein occlusion occurs when one of the veins that drains blood from the retina becomes blocked.
This blockage is more likely in people with risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
When the vein is blocked, blood flow is disrupted, leading to bleeding in the retina and swelling of the macula (the central part of the retina responsible for sharp vision). This can cause blurred or distorted central vision (known as metamorphopsia).
What is the treatment for a retinal vein occlusion?
If the occlusion is mild and vision is not affected, treatment may not be necessary.
If vision is reduced, treatment with intravitreal injections (medications delivered into the eye) is usually recommended. These injections help reduce swelling, improve vision, and prevent further vision loss.