Information provided by the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The Eye M.D. Association

RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION

Who is at risk for a retinal vein occlusion?

Certain illnesses increase your risk for developing retinal vein occlusion, including:

• diabetes;
• glaucoma;
• high blood pressure;
• age-related vascular (blood vessel) disease,
• blood disorders.

If a branch retinal vein occlusion occurs in one eye, there is an increased chance (about 10%) that a branch or central vein occlusion will occur in the other eye in the future.

What are the complications and symptoms of retinal vein occlusion?

Macular edema. If blood and fluid leak into the central part of the retina called the macula, swelling of the macula occurs (called macular edema). The macula is the part of your retina responsible for your fine detail vision. It is what allows you to read small print, thread a needle, and read street signs. Macular edema causes blurred and/or decreased vision.

Abnormal blood vessel growth (neovascularization). Retinal vein occlusion can cause abnormal vessels to begin to grow on the retina. These new vessels are very fragile and may bleed or leak fluid into the vitreous – the gel-like substance that fills the center of the eye. Small spots or clouds in your field of vision called floaters can appear. In more advanced cases of neovascularization, the abnormal blood vessels may actually cause the retina to detach from the back of the eye.

Pain in the eye. In severe cases of CRVO, a blocked vein causes abnormal blood vessel growth on the iris and drainage channels in the front of the eye, leading to painful pressure in the eye (neovascular glaucoma).