Retinal Vein Occlusion

Retinal vein occlusion is second only to diabetic retinopathy as a cause of vision loss due to disease affecting the blood circulation of the retina. There are two types: branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).

BRANCH RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION

Branch Retinal Vein OcclusionA 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 fluid then travel through ever smaller blood vessels called capillaries and ultimately into the venous system starting with small veins feeding into 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 into the retina. 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 the age of 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 atherosclerotic risk factors or manifestations, such as:

• coronary artery disease
• stroke
• high blood pressure
• diabetes
• smoking

Glaucoma is also a risk factor. Less common conditions that can cause BRVO include:

• blood clotting abnormalities
• inflammatory and infectious illnesses, such as sarcoidosis, vasculitis, and tuberculosis

These are more common in younger patients who do not have the previously mentioned risk factors. It is important to find a possible underlying cause, since the treatment of an infectious or inflammatory condition will be different from vein occlusions caused by atherosclerosis.

Complications of BRVO include: macular edema, macular ischemia, and neovascularization (formation of new abnormal blood vessels), somewhat similar to what can be seen in diabetic retinopathy.

Leaking in the macula 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. Anti-vasogenic treatment with Lucentis, Eylea, or Avastin, 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 as of yet.

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 of the retina that needs surgical treatment. Intraocular injections of anti-vasogenic drugs, such as Lucentis, have shown promising results in controlling neovascularization.

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