Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

Once you have a basic understanding of the eye, you can better understand how your eye problem interferes with vision. In a manner similar to a camera, light enters in front of your eye through the cornea and lens. The light is then focused on the back of your eye on the tissue called the retina. In a sense, the retina functions like the film in a camera. From there, the signals are transmitted to the brain, thereby creating sight. The central area of the retina is called the macula. The macula is responsible for sharp, central vision. Good central vision is critical for activities such as reading, driving, and sewing. If the macula is damaged by disease, the "straight ahead" vision is affected. The rest of the retina is responsible for side or peripheral vision.

A branch retinal vein occlusion is an obstructed or blocked vein in the retina at the back of the eye. You may recall that arteries bring fresh nutrients and oxygen rich blood to the tissues, and that veins drain away that oxygen- and nutrient-depleted blood. While blood flow into the eye is important, blood flow out is equally important to maintain circulation. When outflow is blocked, as in a retinal vein occlusion, the blood has no place to go, and "backs up", rupturing the blood vessel walls. Thus, the appearance of the retina is dramatically altered. Blood vessels become engorged and swollen. Without a way for the blood to flow out of the eye, blood overflows on and into the retina. Similar to the swelling that occurs when a tourniquet is kept in place on an arm too long, swelling (edema) occurs in the retina. Retinal function is impaired by this bleeding and swelling.

To learn more about branch retinal vein occlusions and schedule a visit with one of our Georgia ophthalmologists, call us toll-free at 888-GA-RETINA.

The degree of visual loss will depend on how close the blood vessel blockage is to the center of vision (the macula) and whether the blockage is partial or complete. The loss of vision may be significant. Depending on the duration and extent of the blockage, your vision may improve, worsen, or remain the same.

Vein occlusions can occasionally be complicated by abnormal blood vessel growth, which can later result in bleeding into the vitreous jelly of the eye, or can result in severe glaucoma. Careful follow-up examinations will monitor and allow early detection of these uncommon complications.

Special in office tests called a fluorescein angiogram or an OCT (optical coherence tomography) may be used to help confirm the diagnosis or guide treatment. Details of this test are explained on a separate page. The test is valuable because it will demonstrate the degree of diseased retina, and even reveal hidden damage. Thus, critical information is obtained for both treatment and predicting visual recovery (prognosis).

Fortunately, there are treatments for branch retinal vein occlusions. If your vision does not improve significantly spontaneously, or if your vision remains poor, laser eye surgery in Georgia may be recommended. Laser treatments almost double the chance for visual improvement in cases where there is macular edema (leakage of fluid into the center of the retina). Another treatment for macular edema is the injection of medications into the eye such as a steroid called Kenalog, or a medication known as Avastin. For those more serious cases where abnormal vessel growth occurs, a more extensive laser treatment may be utilized. In those rare eyes with bleeding into the vitreous (jelly inside the eye) that fail to respond to conventional treatment, then vitreous surgery becomes an option. This is surgery done in the operating room in the hospital, to remove the blood in the jelly of the eye. It is often combined with laser treatment.

Certain medical conditions increase the risk of developing these blood vessel blockages. The most common include commonly hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, or atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries, and especially carotid artery narrowing). Therefore, referral to your general medical doctor for reevaluation of these conditions may be valuable. Recognition and control of these medical conditions may prevent these blood vessel blockages from recurring in this eye, occurring in the other eye, or elsewhere in the body.

To learn more about branch retinal vein occlusions and schedule a visit with one of our retina specialists in Georgia, call us toll-free at 888-GA-RETINA.