Vein Occlusions

Vein Occlusion

Veinous occlusions occur when a blockage forms within a blood vessel preventing blood flow downstream from the blockage. There are two main types of vein occlusions: 

• Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) is a blockage of the main vein of the eye. 

• Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO) is a blockage of a smaller veinous branch off the main central vein. 

Are there any risk factors?​

• Hypertension

• Glaucoma

• Diabetes Mellitus

• Higher Body Mass Index

• Cardiovascular Disease

• Blood Clotting Diseases

If a veinous occlusion occurs, other conditions may arise as a result including: 

• Macular Edema​: swelling involving your central vision

• Abnormal Blood Vessel Growth: causing bleeding in the eye or glaucoma

Are there any treatments?​

• First and foremost, prevention is key! Working with your primary doctor to manage and optimize the above associated risk factors is important in avoiding veinous occlusions. Even after an occlusion has taken place in one eye the risk of a second occlusion in your fellow eye is as high as 10%, so improving your overall health is always important. 

• Treatments such as injections of certain medications or laser treatments may be necessary to minimize or reverse the consequences of a veinous occlusion.

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