Omni Eye Specialists - Services - Retina - Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO)

Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO)

Most people know high blood pressure and other vascular diseases pose risks to overall health, but many may not know that high blood pressure can affect vision by damaging veins in the eye. High blood pressure is the most common condition associated with BRVO. About 10 to 12 percent of the people who have BRVO also have glaucoma (high pressure in the eye).

Branch retinal vein occlusion blocks small veins in the retina, the layer of light-sensing cells at the back of the eye. If the blocked retinal veins are ones that nourish the macula, the part of the retina responsible for straight-ahead vision, some central vision is lost. During the course of vein occlusion, sixty percent or greater will have swelling of the central macular vision area. In about one third of people, this macular edema will remain for over one year.

BRVO causes a painless decrease in vision, resulting in misty or distorted vision. If the veins cover a large area, new abnormal vessels may grow on the retinal surface, which can bleed into the eye and cause blurred vision.

There is no cure for BRVO. Finding out what caused the blockage is the first step in treatment. Your ophthalmologist may recommend a period of observation, since hemorrhages and excess fluid may subside on their own. Depending on how damaged the veins are, laser surgery may help reduce the swelling and improve vision. Laser surgery may also shrink the abnormal new blood vessels that are at risk of bleeding. Intravitreal Kenalog has also been shown to be very useful in reducing swelling or bleeding from the orginal vein occlusion. Significant improvement of vision and function is common.

If you have had a branch retinal vein occlusion, regular visits to your ophthalmologist are essential to protect vision.

Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO)

Although hypertension and diabetes increase the chance of developing a CRVO, most eyes that sustain a CRVO are healthy. Although the exact mechanism is not clear, the main retinal vein gets choked as it enters the eye via the optic nerve. Most patients experience sudden, painless loss of vision. Others may experience loss of vision over a period of weeks. Unfortunately, the loss of vision is permanent. Regular visits with your eye doctor are encouraged to prevent neovascular glaucoma from developing. This rare, painful type of glaucoma can be seen in several settings, but commonly is associated with central retinal vein occlusions. It can be prevented if diagnosed early.

Radial optic neurotomy (RON) is a surgical procedure that has gained wide acceptance over the past couple of years for treatment of CRVO. A radial cut is made on the side of the optic nerve. This cut may reduce the pressure that occluded the vein and may also lead to the development of alternative retinal circulation. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. In most cases, patients are able to notice improvement in vision.