Retinal vein thrombosis, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the retina, can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated. Risk factors include cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and glaucoma. Treatment options include laser procedures and injections to prevent further damage.
Retinal vein thrombosis, or retinal vein occlusion, causes a blockage of normal blood flow to the retina of the eye. Symptoms of this condition may appear mildly but gradually worsen over time. Cardiovascular problems and other risk factors often contribute to the formation of ocular thrombosis. Tests for this type of blockage look at vision, eye pressure, and any damage to the retina. Treatment methods depend on whether the blockage is partial or complete.
Located at the back of the eye, retinal tissue helps focus images and light, thus providing vision. The retina works like a camera lens. The retina also needs to circulate blood flow freely through an artery and vein to function properly. Retinal vein thrombosis occurs when blood circulation throughout the eye becomes blocked due to lack of oxygen. The findings lead to a blood clot or hemorrhage in part of the retina, which in turn affects vision.
The blockage may be present if a person experiences blurry vision or sudden loss of vision in one eye. Episodes of blurry or temporary vision loss cannot last longer than 15 minutes according to medical sources. Retinal vein thrombosis does not cause pain, but the symptoms can gradually damage the retina and cause permanent vision loss if not treated properly.
Some people may experience retinal vein occlusion due to the structure of the eye or as a result of a pre-existing medical condition. The veins within an eye can be too narrow, thus increasing the risk of blockage. Cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries also increase the risk of developing retinal vein thrombosis in one eye. Blockage in veins in the body can also coincide with those in the retina to cause thrombosis. In addition to atherosclerosis, other risk factors associated with this condition include diabetes, high blood pressure and glaucoma.
To detect the presence of retinal vein occlusion, a doctor examines vision and overall eye health. After reviewing the relevant history, doctors use visual acuity and field tests to determine how well the patient sees letters and objects. Comprehensive tests such as slit lamp, retinal photography, intraocular pressure, pupillary reflex, and refraction examine the inside of the eye for retinal vein occlusion.
Treatment options for partial and full retinal vein thrombosis include laser procedures and injections. Laser photocoagulation helps prevent fluid buildup in the area of the retinal vein blockage. Injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors reportedly treat thrombosis and prevent the development of eye diseases such as glaucoma. However, methods for treating retinal vein thrombosis do not reverse the blockage; they simply prevent new ones from forming and vision from worsening. Vision in the eye eventually returns, but is rarely 100% normal.
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