Retinal Vascular Occlusion: 4 Effective Treatments

Vision works through the ways our eyes process light, and our retinas are essential in the transformation of that light into the images we take in with millions of light-sensitive cells called rods and cones. This vital part of your eyes lines the whole back of these organs, and attaches to the optic nerve so that whatever it sees goes directly to your brain.

The veins and blood vessels attached to your retinas need to remain healthy to preserve vision, and conditions like retinal vascular occlusion (also called retinal vein occlusion or RVO) can cause problems that lead to vision loss if not treated. To better understand this problem, let’s look at more facts about RVO, its causes and complications, and how we can help.

Dr. Jeffrey Rapkin and the dedicated staff at Retina Consultants of Muncie help the residents of Muncie, Indiana, keep their eyes healthy through preventive measures and multiple treatments for a range of retinal issues, including retinal vascular occlusion.

Retinal vascular occlusion basics

You need blood in every part of your body to nourish organs and tissues with the oxygen and other nutrients it brings, and this condition causes blockages that keeps blood from getting where it needs to. 

The partial or complete blockage that comes from this illness causes blurry vision, floaters, swelling, and raised pressure that can affect the main arteries or the smaller branch veins in the retina. Retinal vein occlusion has been diagnosed in more than 16 million people, and the only other retinal condition more common than this is diabetic retinopathy. 

Causes and complications

RVO develops from blood clots that form in the retina, often caused by conditions like hypertension, diabetes, glaucoma, and various vascular diseases. Compression of your retinal vein where it meets your retinal arteries can also lead to the illness. The risk of it increases in people over 40 and often occurs in adults in their 50s and 60s.

Vision changes and vision loss are the most common complications of retinal vascular occlusion, but other problems can result from this condition, such as macular edema, vitreous hemorrhage, and neovascular glaucoma.

Treatment options

To manage the issues associated with retinal vascular occlusion, we offer several treatments:

1. Corticosteroid injections

An intravitreal injection in the back of your eye with corticosteroids can help to reduce inflammation caused by RVO.

2. Anti-VEGF injections

Another form of intravitreal injection, this one directly applies anti-vascular endothelial growth factors, which, in excess, can cause leaking and bleeding of abnormal blood vessels.

3. Focal laser therapy

An alternative method to dealing with abnormal blood vessel growth is through laser treatments. This option applies heat, which seals blood vessels and vaporizes excess fluid.

4. Pan-retinal photocoagulation therapy

This laser treatment slows down the progression of retinal diseases and also seals abnormal blood vessels and arteries. It can also be used to weld retinal tears and holes.

Retinal vascular occlusion can lead to long-term vision problems without treatment, but there are options to preserve your eyes, and we’re here to help. 

Make an appointment with Dr. Rapkin and Retina Consultants of Muncie today to find the treatment that works for you.