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UNDERSTANDING RETINAL DISEASES

Retinal diseases are a diverse range of conditions that affect vision. This site is
designed to help you learn more about specific conditions, how they're treated and provide support resources.

 

RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION (RVO)

RVO

RVO is the second most common cause of vision loss from diseases that affect the blood vessels in the retina. Exactly why central RVO develops is not fully understood, but there are some specific things that happen within the eye that lead to vision disturbances:

  • Central RVO occurs when the central retinal vein becomes blocked or occluded, and obstructs blood flow from the eye causing vision loss. In central RVO, blood clots or reduced blood flow in the central retinal vein draining the retina occurs.
  • In branch RVO, vision loss and distortion occur due to occlusion (blockages) of branch retinal veins. Severity of vision loss depends on the extent and location of the occlusion in RVO. The compression of a vein at an arteriovenous crossing is considered the main cause of branch RVO, either due to hypertension or hardening of the arteries

If you think you have any symptoms of RVO or your vision is deteriorating, speak with your physician or have your eyes checked as soon as possible.

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