Symptoms, causes, and additional information on Central Retinal Vein Occlusion, a condition that affects the eye's blood circulation.

Eye blockage in main vein: Signs, reasons, and further details

Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) is a potentially sight-threatening condition that affects the eye. It occurs when blood can no longer travel through the main blood vessel that brings blood to the back of the eye.

The retina, a layer of cells at the back of the eye that detects light and transmits signals to the brain, is affected by CRVO. Symptoms may include redness in the eye, floaters, blurry vision, gradual vision loss, and pressure. In some cases, CRVO can be more severe, leading to blurred vision, swelling, and vision loss.

There are several treatment options available for CRVO. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections are the most common treatment, which helps reduce swelling. Steroid medication is another option, which may help bring down swelling and its effects often last for several months. Laser surgery - panretinal photocoagulation - may also be used to reduce bleeding in the retina and resolve the increase in eye pressure.

In cases where the person is under the age of 40 and shows CRVO symptoms, the ophthalmologist may recommend further testing for conditions that affect blood clotting. It's important to note that treatment usually takes a few months for vision to improve, but people with severe CRVO may not find that vision improves.

CRVO has links to various risk factors such as glaucoma, giant cell arteritis, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, syphilis, sarcoidosis, HIV, vasculitis, migraine, systemic conditions that increase blood clotting, and Waldenstroem's disease. It's also associated with the use of diuretics and oral contraceptives.

No specific studies have explored CRVO's direct effect on life expectancy, but it is linked to an increased mortality risk due to its relationship with cardiovascular disease and stroke.

It's crucial to manage underlying risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes to improve the chances of successful treatment and recovery. In some cases, up to one-third of older adults with CRVO may resolve without treatment.

If you suspect you may have CRVO, it's important to seek medical attention from an ophthalmologist. They may perform fluorescein angiography to diagnose CRVO, which involves injecting a dye into a vein and using a specialized camera to identify if the dye travels through the central retinal vein. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve the chances of preserving vision.