Retinal Vein Occlusions

There are two main types of retinal vein occlusion (RVO):

Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) occurs when the main vein draining the retina becomes blocked, usually affecting the entire retina and often causing more severe vision loss.

Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) happens when a smaller branch vein is blocked, affecting one section (quadrant) of the retina, and vision loss is often milder or more localised.

1. Eye injections (anti-VEGF) – first-line treatment

• Reduce macular swelling (oedema) and improve vision

• Given as a series of injections into the eye

• Often the most effective treatment for vision improvement
  
  

2. Steroid injections or implants

• Used if anti-VEGF is not suitable or not fully effective

• Reduce inflammation and fluid leakage

• Require monitoring for raised eye pressure and cataract
  
  

3. Laser treatment

• Sector or pan-retinal laser may be used if abnormal new vessels develop

• Helps prevent complications such as bleeding or glaucoma

• Less commonly used for macular oedema alone