Retinal Vein Occlusion
The
retina, the
light sensitive tissue that lines the back of the
eye, is nourished by a fragile network of blood
vessels including arteries and veins.
When a vein becomes
blocked or "pinched off", some of the blood flowing
through the vein can hemorrhage out of the vein wall
-- this is called a vein occlusion.
A branch retinal vein
occlusion (BRVO) happens when one of the
smaller retinal veins is blocked. Branch
retinal vein occlusion symptoms range from hardly
noticeable to extensive loss of vision.
A central retinal vein
occlusion (CRVO) happens when the large
retinal vein, responsible for transporting blood out
of the eye, becomes blocked. CRVO symptoms
usually include massive loss of vision.
Both BRVO and CRVO can have associated, secondary
conditions such as: macular edema,
retinal ischemia (lack of blood flow to the retina
tissue)
and neovascular glaucoma.
Retinal vein occlusion should be monitored and
treated by an ophthalmologist.
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