Retinal Vein Occlusion Specialist

What is retinal vein occlusion?

Your retina has arteries and veins that move blood in and out of your eye. Retinal vein occlusion occurs when a retinal vein becomes blocked with either a clot or plaque buildup on the inside of the vein.

The two types of retinal vein occlusion are central retinal vein occlusion that affects the main retinal vein and branch retinal vein occlusion that blocks one of the smaller retinal veins.

Retinal vein occlusion restricts the circulation in your retina, preventing your eyes from getting the oxygen and nutrients they need and eventually leading to blood vessel damage. Damaged blood vessels can leak onto your retina and cause scarring, which is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness.

Retinal vein occlusion symptoms can develop suddenly or over a few days. The most common warning sign is vision loss or blurred vision in one eye. You might also see an increased number of floaters in your vision as the blood leaking into your eye can cast shadows on your retina.

What causes retinal vein occlusion?

Retinal vein occlusion usually develops as a symptom of another condition that affects your vascular health. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels can all increase your risk of retinal vein occlusion.

How is retinal vein occlusion diagnosed?

The ophthalmologists at Retina Consultants Ltd. do comprehensive eye exams to assess your retinal health. They usually use special eye drops to dilate your pupils so they can see the back of your eye more clearly.

They might also use fluorescein angiography to study the circulation in your eyes. During this test, your doctor injects a yellow dye into your vein and uses a special camera to track the dye as it travels through your blood vessels to identify blockages.

How is retinal vein occlusion treated?

The ophthalmologists at Retina Consultants Ltd. provides customized treatments to manage retinal vein occlusion. Depending on your specific needs, they might recommend laser surgery to stop your retinal veins from leaking. They might also prescribe medication to reduce swelling in your retina.

If you’re concerned about retinal vein occlusion, call Retina Consultants Ltd. or make an appointment online today.