Description
Retinal vein occlusion is the blockage of blood flow through the vein that drains the light-sensitive layer of the eye called the retina. Blood backs up and causes bleeding and damage to the retina. Varying degrees of visual loss can occur depending on the severity of the blockage. Retinal vein occlusion happens most often in people over age 50. Men are at higher risk than women. The risk of retinal vein occlusion increases with certain disease processes such as high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
Symptoms
Symptoms include painless loss of vision. The visual loss can present slowly with gradual vision loss over days to weeks.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A complete history and physical will be performed. A specific ophthalmologic exam and visual testing will be performed. The diagnosis can often be made based on exam findings. Your ophthalmologist may suggest a fluorescein angiogram (stain and picture of the vessels of the retina) to confirm the diagnosis.
Do I need this test?
Don't routinely provide antibiotics before or after intravitreal injections. The routine use of antibiotics before or after intravitreal injections is unnecessary because research has shown that topical antibiotics don't prevent the occurrence of eye infection. The risks of antibiotic eye drops include allergic reactions. The overuse and repeated exposure to antibiotics can lead to the emergence of bacteria that don't respond readily to available treatments. Routine antisepsis is appropriate and important for prevention of eye infection.
Specialists:
Ophthalmology
Workup:
A complete history and physical will be performed. A specific ophthalmologic exam and visual testing will be performed. The diagnosis can often be made based on exam findings. Your ophthalmologist may suggest a fluorescein angiogram (stain and picture of the vessels of the retina) to confirm the diagnosis.
Do I need this test?
Don't routinely provide antibiotics before or after intravitreal injections. The routine use of antibiotics before or after intravitreal injections is unnecessary because research has shown that topical antibiotics don't prevent the occurrence of eye infection. The risks of antibiotic eye drops include allergic reactions. The overuse and repeated exposure to antibiotics can lead to the emergence of bacteria that don't respond readily to available treatments. Routine antisepsis is appropriate and important for prevention of eye infection.
Specialists:
Ophthalmology
Treatment
Treatment depends on the extent of the blockage. The mainstay of treatment involves the use of a laser (laser photocoagulation) to treat the damaged areas of the retina. This may improve vision and decrease the risk of glaucoma.