 |
HomeTom H Williamson Private Practice Contact Information Anatomy Cataract General Conditions Retinal Detachment Diabetes Macular Disease Inflammation Trauma Investigations |
Patient Information for Central Retinal Vein Occlusion What is central retinal vein occlusion? Central retinal vein occlusion is caused by a blockage in one of the blood vessels in the eye, the central retinal vein. This blood vessel drains the blood out of the retina. It is like a water pipe being blocked in your house. This causes pressure to build up in the system and leaks to appear. In the eye fluid leaks into the retina causing it to swell (macular oedema). The retina cannot work well when it is swollen which causes a reduction in your central vision often making the vision patchy. The blockage is probably caused by a blood clot in the vein. Also, because of the blockage the flow of blood to the retina is slowed down. This can starve the retina of oxygen. In severe cases the eye tries to produce new blood vessels in the eye to help supply oxygen. Unfortunately this can produce a very severe type of glaucoma (high pressure in the eye), which further damages the eye.
Is there any treatment? Many treatments have been tried for this condition, including laser, steroid injections, tablets, removal of blood from your body (to thin the blood) and operations. None is established as a cure.
What will happen to the eye? Many patients with this condition will have permanently reduced vision afterwards. The whole process takes 1 year to settle down. The eye must open up the blockage or bypass the blockage by using other blood vessels. This takes time. During this time period your ophthalmologist will need to monitor the eye for complications every 1-2 months. If the blockage is severe or becomes severe you may need treatments such as laser or operation.
Do I need any investigations? There are a number of investigations, which you may have.
Blood samples should be taken for routine blood count, electrolytes, cholesterol and sugar. Other tests may be performed to see if you have a tendency to produce blood clots.
A special test (fluorescein angiography), which involves injection of some dye into a vein in the arm and photographs to observe the dye in the eye, may be performed.
A low dose laser scan called (OCT) is useful to detect and monitor any swelling in the retina. An ultrasound scan helps to check how bad the blockage is.
Patient Information for Central Retinal Vein Occlusion
The following simple steps should be taken.
You must avoid becoming dehydrated therefore the following activities should be avoided or restricted:
You should drink plenty of water.
You may be given eye drops to reduce the pressure of the eye to try to improve its blood supply.
Try to sleep propped up with more pillows than usual, often the vision is worse first thing in the morning perhaps because by lying flat it is more difficult for the eye to drain its blood to the heart.
Are other treatments adviseable? If the eye deteriorates it will be possible to try a steroid injection in to orbit or eye or an operation to remove the jelly of the eye (vitrectomy). These are new treatments, which may help but are still under investigation. They have possible complications, which you need to discuss with your surgeon.
|
Disclaimer. The information provided in the Retina Surgery web site is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other health care professional. Always check with your doctor if you have concerns about your condition or treatment. The authors of this web site and St Thomas’ hospital are not responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any form of damages whatsoever resulting from the information contained in or implied by the information on the site. The text and images are the copyright of Tom H Williamson. |