*All required fields must be completed. Please include non-medical questions and correspondence only. If you are having a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1 or go directly to the Emergency Room.To schedule an appointment, please contact our office at Jacksonville 800.237.3846, Daytona Beach 800.555.6590, Lake Mary 877.357.3846. Our regular office hours are 8AM to 5PM Monday through Friday.
*All required fields must be completed. Please include non-medical questions and correspondence only. If this is an emergency referral, please contact our office directly, Jacksonville 800.237.3846, Daytona Beach 800.555.6590, Lake Mary 877.357.3846. Our regular office hours are 8AM to 5PM Monday through Friday.
Click to Email us
Jacksonville 800.237.3846 Daytona Beach 800.555.6590 Lake Mary 877.357.3846
Our regular office hours are: Monday - Friday 8AM to 5PM.
The most common cause of a blockage is one vessel pressing down on another and causing it to narrow and occlude. Occasionally, a blockage can occur from a blood clot. A retinal vein occlusion may result in the leakage of fluid from the blood vessels. This fluid causes the retina to swell and thicken. The swelling of the retina is called macular edema, and it can cause blurry vision or loss of vision.
An additional complication of a retinal vein occlusion is the growth of abnormal new blood vessels. These blood vessels can grow in the back of the eye and bleed. Or they can grow in the front of the eye (on the iris or colored part of the eye) and cause the eye pressure to go up. When the eye pressure rises too high, it can cause permanent damage to the vision and pain.
Retinal vein occlusions can block the central vein or a branch vein.
A CRVO (Central Retinal Vein Occlusion) is a blockage of the eye's main vein (central retinal artery).
A BRVO (Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion) is a blockage of a smaller blood vessel that branches off the main vein.
It is very important to be evaluated by an ophthalmologist right away if you have any symptoms. Without treatment, a retinal vein occlusion can cause blindness.
Dr. Cunningham with a patient.
Your eye doctor may refer you back to your primary care physician for additional testing to determine if you have blocked blood vessels elsewhere.
Two different tests are often used to determine the extent of damage from a retinal vein occlusion.
These are: 1) Fluorescein Angiography — Special pictures that look at the blood flow to the retina. A yellow dye (called fluorescein) is injected into a vein, usually in your arm or hand. A camera is then used to take photos of the inside of you eye.
2) Optical coherence tomography (OCT) — A machine that scans the retina and provides detailed images of the retina, like a virtual biopsy. This scan helps your doctor identify swelling and leakage of fluid in the retina.
A retinal vein occlusion can cause vision loss or blurry vision. Treatments consist of medication injections in the eye and sometimes laser treatment. It is also important to control other health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure.