It is essential to identify and treat any risk factors to minimise the risk to the other eye and prevent a further vein occlusion in the affected eye although, in a small number of cases, no risk factors can be found, with the cause being unknown. Treatment of any risk factors detected reduces the risk of a further vein occlusion occurring in either eye and may also help to reduce the risk of other blood vessel blockages, such as may happen in a stroke (affecting the brain) or a heart attack or, in those with rare blood disorders, a blocked vein in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) or lung (pulmonary embolism).
Persistent bruising and swelling at the centre of the retina (the macula) is the main cause of permanent loss of central vision. The swelling is caused by damaged blood vessels which leak fluid. Different medicines such as anti- vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medicines or steroids may be helpful in reducing this leakage. These medicines are given by injection into the eye and the injections often need to be repeated as the effect of the medicine wears off. Laser treatment is sometimes helpful in restoring some central vision in branch retinal vein occlusions.
About 20% of patients with retinal vein occlusions develop abnormal blood vessels growing on the iris at the front of the eye or on the retina. These abnormal blood vessels can bleed or cause a marked pressure rise in the eye leading to further loss of vision. This can normally be prevented by laser treatment to the retina, which is most effective if applied before vision is lost. For this reason, patients with central retinal vein occlusions are normally checked every four to six weeks for six months but branch retinal vein occlusions can be checked less often as the risk is much less.
The following four tests available at Edgbaston Eye Clinic provide digital images of the retina and its blood circulation. These tests are recommended to help monitor the condition and decide the most appropriate treatment:
- Retinal photography
- Fluorescein angiography
- Optical coherence tomography
- Ultra Wide Field Imaging
Most patients are discharged after one to two years as recurrence or deterioration is unlikely after this
