Retinal vein occlusion is second only to diabetic retinopathy as a cause of vision loss due to retinal vascular disease. There are two types: branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).
Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion
A BRVO is essentially a blockage of one of the small blood vessels that drains blood from the retina. Arteries carry blood to the retina. Red blood cells and plasma then travel through capillaries and ultimately into the venous system, starting with small veins and ending with larger veins, and finally reaching the central retinal vein. When there is a blockage in any vein, there is back-up pressure within the capillaries, leading to bleeding, swelling and fluid leakage. The degree of damage and visual symptoms depend on the size of the blocked vein and its exact location.
Both males and females can develop BRVO. Most commonly BRVO develops after 50, although young patients can also experience this disease. BRVO is the leading cause of retinal vascular occlusive disease. High rates of occurrence are seen among patients in their 60's and 70's.
Risk factors for BRVO include coronary artery disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking. Glaucoma is also a risk factor. Less common conditions that can cause BRVO include blood clotting abnormalities, and inflammatory and infectious illnesses, such as sarcoidosis, vasculitis and tuberculosis.
Complications of BRVO include: macular edema, macular ischemia and neovascularization (formation of new abnormal blood vessels).
Leaking in the macula, the center of the retina causes macular edema or swelling. The macula is responsible for central vision and it does not function as it should when it is swollen. Symptoms of macula edema include blurry vision and loss of portions of the field of vision. Laser photocoagulation treatment or medications, such as intraocular steroids, may be effective in stabilizing and improving vision.
With macular ischemia, small blood vessels close. Because the macula does not receive enough blood to function as it should, vision becomes blurry. There is no effective treatment for this condition.
Neovascularization can be a potentially devastating complication of BRVO. Unless laser treatment is performed, at least 60% of patients with neovascularization will have periods of vitreous hemorrhaging. Severe cases of neovascularization can cause traction detachment. Laser photocoagulation treatment can prevent further vision loss. Intraocular injections of anti-vasogenic drugs, such as Avastin have shown promising results in controlling neovascularization.
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion
CRVO is the closure of the final retinal vein, which is located at the optic nerve. Since blood cannot travel out of the retina smoothly, blood accumulates in the retina and it becomes swollen. If there is a partial blockage, the retina may continue to function as normal. A severe blockage can permanently damage the retina and cause vision loss.
Risk factors for CRVO include coronary artery disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking. Glaucoma is also a risk factor. Less common conditions that can cause CRVO include blood clotting abnormalities, and inflammatory and infectious illnesses, such as sarcoidosis, vasculitis and tuberculosis.
CRVO can be categorized as non-ischemic and ischemic. In some instances there is a significant obstruction of capillaries. This can cause an abnormal type of neovascularization that develops in front of the iris. Patients with this condition can experience neovascular glaucoma. This complication is very serious and may cause severe vision loss, pain or loss of the affected eye. If performed early, laser photocoagulation, may prevent these complications.
Patients with CRVO may also develop neovascularization in the back of the eye; however it is less common, compared to BRVO. Neovascularization in the back of the eye causes vitreous hemorrhaging and retinal detachment. Laser treatment can manage these complications.
As with BRVO, patients with CRVO may also experience macular edema and macular ischemia. Laser photocoagulation has not been proven effective in treating macular edema, particularly among elderly patients. Young patients with the non-ischemic form of CRVO may benefit from localized laser treatment of macular edema. Intraocular steroids or anti-vasogenic drugs, such as Avastin, may be effective in some cases. Injections would need to be repeated if the edema returns.
Neovascularization can be a potentially devastating complication of CRVO. Unless laser treatment is performed, at least 60% of patients with neovascularization will have periods of vitreous hemorrhaging. Severe cases of neovascularization can lead to traction detachment. Laser photocoagulation treatment can prevent further vision loss. Intraocular injections of anti-vasogenic drugs, such as Avastin have shown promising results in controlling neovascularization.