Retinal Venous Ocular Disease

Retinal venous ocular disease is a common eye disorder that occurs mostly in people over 50 years of age and is a leading cause of blindness. Risk factors include aging, high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking.

The Retina

• The retina is located at the back of the inner eye and functions much like a camera, according to Medline Plus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. Images enter the eye and are focused on the retina, which is a light-sensitive layer of tissue. The optic nerve sends these images to the brain as electric signals, producing vision.

Two Types

• According to the Angeles Vision Clinic, retinal venous ocular disease may be caused by a branch retinal vein occlusion or by a central retinal vein occlusion.

Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

• This type of occlusion is the more common form of retinal vascular ocular disease. It occurs when there is a blockage in a vein that delivers blood from the retina back to the heart. This blockage causes pressure that can lead to hemorrhaging (internal bleeding) and fluid leakage in the eye. The site of the occlusion determines the extent of the hemorrhaging. This type of blockage is similar to those that occur in veins elsewhere in the body, which can cause stroke or heart disease.

Patient Population

• Branch retinal vein occlusions generally occur in men and women who are 50 years of age or older, with the highest incidence among those in their 60s and 70s. About 10 percent of people who experience a branch retinal vein occlusion in one eye will experience one in the other eye at a later time. Therefore, it is important for a health care provider to determine whether an underlying vascular disease is causing the eye problem.

Diagnosis

• When a branch retinal vein occlusion occurs, a person may experience blurred vision and not have full range of vision. An eye care provider can diagnose the disorder and perform tests to monitor the disease and address any complications that may arise. Complications can lead to vision loss.

Treatment

• There is no known medical treatment for this disease. However, some of the complications of branch retinal vein occlusion can be managed with laser treatment that seals the leaking capillaries and can stabilize or, in some patients, improve vision. Research is ongoing to better prevent and manage this disease.

Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

• A central retinal vein occlusion is a blockage that closes off the final retinal vein, which is located in the optic nerve. This condition is rarer than a branch retinal vein occlusion and can be more serious. Patients with this form of the disease must be monitored monthly to detect any complications.