Retinal vein occlusions eye care treatment

Veins in the eyes carry blood away from the retina, a layer of nerve tissue that plays an important role in the ability to see. A retinal vein occlusion is a blockage of one or more of these veins. As a result, you may experience blurred vision or blindness, which can lead to additional complications, including glaucoma (a disease of the optic nerve) and macular edema (swelling or thickening of part of the retina).

Retinal vein occlusion is often a sign of hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), a serious condition that causes fatty buildup (plaque) that prevents blood from flowing normally. This can block the retinal veins and increase your risk of a blood clot.

Services for retinal vein occlusion

If you have retinal vein occlusions, call your doctor right away. He or she will recommend the best course of treatment. This may include:

• Laser treatments, which can help reduce your risk of complications like macular edema and glaucoma.
• Injections of a drug called antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGf), which can also help prevent glaucoma from developing.

If your retinal vein occlusion is a complication of another condition – such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol – treating and managing the underlying problem can help prevent veins from becoming blocked. Your doctor will discuss the best options with you.

Why Aurora?

At Aurora Health Care, we strive to offer convenient, compassionate care.

• Our ophthalmologists are on call 24/7, so if you have an eye emergency, we’re there to help.
• We offer hundreds of specialists under one roof. If your doctor notices another health issue during your exam, like symptoms of diabetes, he or she can get you an appointment with another Aurora specialist right away.
• Our clinics, hospitals and surgery centers provide care for a whole spectrum of eye issues.
• Aurora Vision Centers provide comprehensive optometry and ophthalmology services for your entire family at locations near you.