Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

Blood is circulated through arteries and veins all over our body, including the eyes. One such main artery and the main vein carry blood to the retina of our eyes. Sometimes a blood clot blocks the main vein where blood flows out of the retina. It is called Central Retinal Vein Occlusion or CRVO. As the vein becomes blocked in this situation, blood and fluid begin to leak into the retina. It may cause swelling of the macula. If this blood circulation is stopped for a long time, the nerve cells in the eye are likely to die. This can cause severe vision loss. However, early treatment can prevent vision loss. This symptom usually occurs in one eye.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of CRVO are loss of vision or blurred vision. It happens suddenly. In some cases, the condition may worsen after a few hours or days. Can even suddenly lose all vision.
In some severe cases, patients may see dark spots, lines, or squiggles in their vision. These are actually shadows of small clumps of blood clots that leak into the vitreous from retinal blood vessles.
Also, the affected eye may feel pain and pressure.
In some cases, a patient may be unaware that he / she has CRVO, unless they close their one eye and see.

Risk Factors

Usually occurs in the elderly age group, 50 years and older. But sometimes can be seen in middle aged or younger age group also.

High blood pressure
Diabetes
Glaucoma
Hardening of the arteries ( arteriosclerosis )

Treatment

CRVO can't be cured, but treatment can improve your vision or keep your symptoms from getting worsen. Diagnosing CRVO early and treating it as soon as possible can help reduce the chance of vision loss. CRVO is treated by injecting medicines inside the eye called Anti VEGF injections which lowers the VEGF level and thereby reduce the swelling of the macula ( the central part of the eye ). Sometimes, steroids injections are also used to help treat the swelling. LASER treatment is carried out in severe cases and when new abnormal vessels are growing in the eye.