What is Retinal Vein Occlusion?

The retina is composed of a thin layer of light-sensitive nerve tissue that lines the back of the eye, which focuses and converts images into electrical impulses which are carried to the brain by the optic nerve to create sight.¹ Additional significant structures of the retina include arteries and veins, which provide essential oxygen and nutrients to the retina and maintain retinal circulation.^2-4

Within the eye, veins are responsible for draining blood away from the retina; retinal vein occlusion (RVO) occurs when there is blockage of a vein.^1,2 When a vein is unable to drain blood from the retina, swelling of the macula – the central area of the retina (macular edema), bleeding in the retina, or abnormal blood vessel growth (neovascularization) in the eye can occur.^3,5 A blockage of the central vein is called a central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and blockage of smaller vein is called a branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).^5,6

RVO is the second most common disease of blood vessels within the retina, the first being diabetic retinopathy.^7-10 BRVO is 6-7 times more common than CRVO. People who have RVO have an increased risk of other cardiovascular diseases (including stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and peripheral artery disease) and death. It is important to see your primary care provider (PCP) soon after RVO diagnosis.⁶