Retinal Vascular Occlusion is the blockage of veins that carry blood away from the retina. The retina has its own blood supply and when clotting occurs inside the eye, blood cannot flow out of the retina causing a sudden decrease of vision.
Symptoms of Retinal Vascular Occlusion
Symptoms include sudden blurring or vision loss in the eye.
Causes of Retinal Vascular Occlusion
Retinal Vascular Occlusions are most often caused by hardening of the arteries and formation of clots in the retina. When there is a blockage of small veins in the retina, pressure is created on the retinal vein causing blurred vision and in some cases total vision loss. Risk factors that can increase the chance of retinal vein occlusion include:
- Atherosclerosis – a cardiac disease in which plaque builds up inside your arteries
- Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure
The blockage of retinal veins may cause other eye problems including glaucoma and macular edema.
Retinal Vascular Occlusion Treatments
Retinal Vascular Occlusion can improve without treatment in the first three months so treatment is not used during this time. If little or no improvement after the three month period, treatment may include injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs or laser treatments.
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