The retina – the layer of tissue lining the back of the eyeball – turns light into signals to be sent to the brain. However, the nerve cells within the retina need fresh oxygen and nutrients delivered through the blood to work properly. Proper blood flow to the retina ensures vision is not compromised.
Retinal vein occlusion occurs when there is a blockage within the small veins that carry blood away from the retina.
n Non-ischemic (perfused)
n Ischemic (nonperfused)
The blockages that occur with retinal vein occlusion are often due to the hardening of arteries and blood clots. As the arteries and veins intersect over one another within the retina, a hardened artery can push against a vein. This narrows the opening of the vein, causing uneven blood flow and creating blood clots. Additionally, this may lead to haemorrhages (bleeding) and leakage of fluid from the blocked blood vessels.
The risk factors of retinal vein occlusion are:
Old age (RVO is commonly detected among the elderly)
Diabetes
Glaucoma
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Atherosclerosis
Smoking
Overweight
Vitreous haemorrhage
Trauma to the eye
Old age (RVO is commonly detected among the elderly)
Diabetes
Glaucoma
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Atherosclerosis
Smoking
Overweight
Vitreous haemorrhage
Trauma to the eye
Due to the severity of the condition, schedule an appointment immediately with Eyecentric specialists if you notice such symptoms. RVO can cause permanent retina damage and may lead to other eye problems.
After asking about your medical history, the ophthalmologist will first use some eye drops to dilate your pupils. This is to enable the specialist to use an ophthalmoscope to check your retina for any blockage or bleeding.
The ophthalmologist may decide to conduct a fluorescein angiography as an additional precaution. A harmless dye is injected into your arm and as the dye travels through your bloodstream and into the retina, the eye doctor will take special photographs of the eye for closer examination of the blood vessels.
An optical coherence tomography test may also be suggested, which involves the use of an advanced scanning ophthalmoscope (resolution of 5 microns) that produces high-definition images of your retina.
There is no known way of unblocking affected retinal veins. However, your doctors will be able to treat the complications that commonly arise due to the condition and help protect your vision.
It is important to note that like all surgeries, the degree of success varies among patients. Some patients may experience little improvement while others may regain some of the vision loss after a few months.
RVO usually occur among patients who have an underlying medical condition. For this reason, it is crucial to always maintain overall health with regular exercise, a low-fat healthy diet, controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight. People with diabetes are advised to undergo eye checks annually.
At Eyecentric based at Bukit Tinggi Medical Centre, our team of seasoned ophthalmologists and eye surgeons is dedicated to delivering the best care possible to help you maintain your vision. Book an appointment if you have concerns regarding your eyesight.
