Retinal Vascular Occlusions

Between one in four of every 1,000 people have retinal vascular occlusions –– a blocked blood vessel in the retina that can cause blurred vision or vision loss. At Prestige Retina in Allen, Texas, medical and surgical retina specialist Jason Chien, MD, has years of experience diagnosing and treating retinal vascular occlusions. You receive a conservative, patient-centered treatment approach, focusing on vision preservation and positive outcomes. Call Prestige Retina to schedule retinal vascular occlusion treatment, or book your appointment online today. 

What is a retinal vascular occlusion?

A retinal vascular occlusion, or retinal vein occlusion, is a partial or complete blockage in one of the veins that removes blood from your retina. The retina is a piece of tissue at the back of your eye with light-sensitive cells responsible for vision. 

If blood can’t drain from your retina, fluid builds up in your eye, placing pressure on the sensitive tissues. This can cause permanent damage and, ultimately, vision loss without treatment. 

Are there different types of retinal vascular occlusion?

Prestige Retina treats both types of retinal vascular occlusion:

Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO)

CRVO is a blockage of the main retinal vein. It’s relatively rare.

Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO)

BRVO is a blockage of one of the smaller branch retinal veins. This is the most common type. 

What are the symptoms of retinal vascular occlusions?

Retinal vascular occlusion symptoms include:

• Blurry vision
• Seeing floaters in your field of vision
• Pain
• Eye pressure
• Vision loss

Sometimes, retinal vascular occlusions don’t present any symptoms. Routine eye exams at Prestige Retina can identify the problem early and provide peace of mind.

How are retinal vascular occlusions diagnosed?

Your Prestige Retina provider reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and completes a comprehensive eye exam. They may also order several tests, including:

Fundus photography

This diagnostic imaging procedure lets your provider check for abnormal blood vessels at the back of your eye. It can also check for bleeding that indicates a retinal vascular occlusion.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT)

OCT is a type of imaging that measures your retinal thickness. This helps your provider determine the severity of the blood vessel blockage and guides treatment.

Fluorescein angiography

Before this test, your provider injects a yellow dye into your arm. The dye highlights the blood vessels in your retina, making it easier to check for blockages. 

How are retinal vascular occlusions treated?

Retinal vascular occlusions are not curable, but several treatments can reduce the risk of complications and preserve your vision. Your Prestige Retina provider might recommend:

• Steroid injections to reduce swelling
• Anti-VEGF injections to prevent the formation of abnormal blood vessels
• Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) to keep intraocular pressure stable
• Vitrectomy surgery to repair retinal damage

Your provider might prescribe medication to lower your blood pressure or keep your cholesterol within a healthy range if you have a health problem that increases your risk of blood vessel blockages.

Call Prestige Retina to schedule retinal vascular occlusion treatment, or book your appointment online today.