Understanding Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO), is a serious eye condition that can lead to vision loss if left untreated. Imagine a traffic jam in the delicate blood vessels of your retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. That’s essentially what happens in RVO, a blockage in the veins responsible for carrying blood away from the retina.

This blockade can be caused by a blood clot or the compression of a retinal vein by a hardened retinal artery. When blood flow is disrupted, the retina can swell, bleed, and even develop abnormal blood vessels, all of which can damage vision.

Types of RVO

Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO)

This type involves a blockage in the main retinal vein. It is less common but potentially more severe.

Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO)

This involves blockage of one of the smaller branch veins in the retina. This type is more common than CRVO.

Who is at Risk?

While anyone can develop RVO, the risk significantly increases after age 40. Other risk factors include:

• Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
• Diabetes
• Glaucoma
• High blood pressure

Symptoms to Watch Out

RVO often affects only one eye, and symptoms can be sudden or gradual. Be vigilant for:

• Blurry vision or vision loss
• Floaters (dark spots or lines in your vision)
• Pain or pressure in the eye (usually in severe cases)

Sometimes RVO is silent, meaning there are no noticeable symptoms until complications develop. Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection.

Diagnosing the Culprit

An eye doctor (ophthalmologist) can diagnose RVO through a comprehensive eye exam and various imaging tests. These tests may include:

• Fundus photography: This captures images of the retina, revealing any abnormal blood vessels or bleeding.
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): This high-resolution imaging technique provides detailed cross-sections of the retina, helping to identify and measure macular edema (swelling).
• Fluorescein angiography: A special dye is injected into the arm and photograph of the retina is taken through a special filter. This modality helps in identifying blockages in retinal blood vessels or areas of poor blood flow and abnormal new vessels.

Managing RVO and Protecting Your Vision

Unfortunately, there’s no way to directly “unblock” the affected vein. Treatment focuses on managing complications and preserving vision. This may involve:

• Medications: Injections of anti-VEGF medications into the eye help reduce swelling in the macula and minimize vision loss.
• Laser surgery:Laser treatment can shrink abnormal blood vessels, reducing the risk of bleeding and retinal detachment.
• Vitrectomy: In the later stages of the disease, abnormal new blood vessels can rupture and bleed causing total vision loss. At that stage the blood mixed witht the vitreous gel is removed through a sutureless Micro Incision Vitrectomy Surgery (MIVS). The empty viteous cavity is then filled with gas or silicon oil.

Prevention is Key:

Controlling conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol is crucial to lower the risk of further blood vessel problems.

You can take steps to reduce your risk of RVO:

• Adopt a heart-healthy diet and exercise regularly.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Quit smoking.
• Manage any existing health conditions that increase your risk of RVO.

What’s the Outlook?

The prognosis for RVO varies depending on the severity of the blockage and associated complications. Some individuals may experience permanent vision impairment, while others see a significant improvement. Early diagnosis and treatment are paramount for the best possible outcome.

Don’t ignore any sudden changes in your vision. Schedule an appointment with your eye doctor promptly to safeguard your precious sight.

Schedule an appointment at Madurai Eye Center (RS Puram & Kuniyamuthur), or call us at +91 9626613737 to know more