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Management of Retinal Vein Occlusion: Current Concepts

Yukio Mishima

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Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a common cause of vision loss, affecting millions of people worldwide. RVO occurs when a vein in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, becomes blocked. This can lead to a build-up of fluid and blood in the retina, which can damage the retinal cells and impair vision.

There are two main types of RVO:

Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) occurs when the central retinal vein, the main vein in the retina, becomes blocked.
Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) occurs when a branch vein in the retina becomes blocked.

RVO is more common in people who are over the age of 50, have high blood pressure, diabetes, or glaucoma.

Management of Retinal Vein Occlusion: Current Concepts

by Hemanshu Prabhakar

4 out of 5

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The symptoms of RVO can vary depending on the type of occlusion. CRVO typically causes a sudden, painless loss of vision in one eye. BRVO can cause a more gradual loss of vision, which may be accompanied by pain or floaters (dark spots or lines in the field of vision).

RVO is diagnosed based on a dilated eye exam, which allows the doctor to see the inside of the eye. The doctor may also order other tests, such as a fluorescein angiography or an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan, to confirm the diagnosis.

The treatment for RVO depends on the type of occlusion and the severity of the symptoms.

The treatment for CRVO is aimed at reducing the swelling in the retina and preventing further damage to the retinal cells. Treatment options may include:

Anti-VEGF injections: Anti-VEGF injections are medications that block the growth of new blood vessels. These injections can help to reduce swelling and improve vision.
Laser therapy: Laser therapy can be used to seal off leaking blood vessels and reduce swelling.
Surgery: Surgery may be necessary in some cases to remove blood clots or to create new channels for blood to flow out of the retina.

The treatment for BRVO is typically less aggressive than the treatment for CRVO. Treatment options may include:

Observation: In some cases, BRVO will resolve on its own without treatment.
Anti-VEGF injections: Anti-VEGF injections may be used to reduce swelling and improve vision.
Laser therapy: Laser therapy can be used to seal off leaking blood vessels and reduce swelling.

The prognosis for RVO depends on the type of occlusion and the severity of the symptoms. CRVO is typically more severe than BRVO, and the prognosis is worse for people who have other underlying medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

With early diagnosis and treatment, most people with RVO can regain some of their vision. However, some people may experience permanent vision loss.

RVO is a common cause of vision loss, but it can be managed with early diagnosis and treatment. If you experience any symptoms of RVO, it is important to see an eye doctor right away.

Management of Retinal Vein Occlusion: Current Concepts

by Hemanshu Prabhakar

4 out of 5