Medicines for Retinal vein occlusion

What it is

Retinal vein occlusion is a blockage of one of the veins that drain blood from the retina at the back of the eye. When a vein becomes blocked, blood and fluid can build up in the retina, causing swelling and, sometimes, bleeding, which affects vision. It typically causes sudden, painless blurring or loss of part or all of the vision in one eye, though a small blockage may cause only mild symptoms. It is more common with increasing age and is linked to conditions that affect the blood vessels, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, glaucoma and smoking. Because it can significantly affect vision and can lead to complications, and because it can be a marker of these underlying conditions, prompt eye assessment is important.

How it is treated

Treatment aims to protect and improve vision and to manage the underlying risk factors. A common cause of vision loss in vein occlusion is swelling at the central part of the retina (macular oedema), which is often treated with injections into the eye (of medicines that reduce swelling and abnormal blood vessels), sometimes with laser treatment; these are given and monitored by an eye specialist. Some blockages also lead to abnormal new blood vessels, which are treated with laser to prevent complications. Just as important is identifying and managing the underlying conditions — blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol — and stopping smoking, both to protect the affected eye and the other eye and to reduce overall cardiovascular risk. Outcomes vary with the type and severity, so prompt assessment matters.