Central
Retinal Vein OcclusionIntroduction: Patients who
develop this condition are usually older and have often one of these conditions:
high blood pressure, glaucoma, diabetes, a medical condition associated with thickened
blood (where blood viscosity is increased). Signs
and symptoms:Central retinal vein occlusion presents with impaired vision
in one eye, usually with no pain or other symptoms. Visual loss is usually slow,
but can be sudden. Occasionally it presents with a painful blind eye, light sensitivity
and redness of the eye. Diagnostic tests: On examination
of the eye (fundoscopy) the specialist sees engorged veins in the back of the
eye with veins that are winding more than is normal. In addition there are
areas where blood is leaking resulting in several retinal
hemorrhages. Perfusion tests with fluorescein angiography establish
the state of blood circulation of the retina and depicts areas
of blood leakage into the retina (yellowish on this fundoscopy image).
Treatment:Treatment depends on the underlying
condition, which is being treated. Generally, there is a consensus that
those patients who have normal retinal perfusion on fluorescein angiography do
much better on the longterm. Otherwise there is no consensus, which treatment
would give the best results. Photocoagulation
all over the retina can be used to prevent further bleeding. Each case has to
be treated individually depending on the findings. Glaucoma can develop as a result
of the scarring and also as a result of new blood vessel development ("neovascular
glaucoma"). |
