Vision Changes and Retinal Vein Occlusion

What if your vision were to suddenly decrease? Or you suddenly noticed burriness in one eye?

You may be suffering from a Retinal Vein Occlusion. This is a blockage in one of the small vessels that transports blood away from the retina. If one of the veins gets blocked, the blockage can create an immediate change in vision.

There are a number of causes of Retinal Vein Occlusion. Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries can be a contributor, as can high blood pressure and diabetes. Patients suffering from glaucoma may also be more at risk for Retinal Vein Occlusion, as can patients with macular edema or eye hemorrhages.

Many patients who have experienced Retinal Vein Occlusion regain vision, but the condition doesn’t go away completely. When a blood vessel is blocked the body compensates by creating new ones, and this can create complications in the retina. Treatments to prevent this include laser surgery and intravitreal injections of medications designed to manage the condition.

For patients with high blood pressure or diabetes, proper diets and exercise can also be of value in helping prevent Retinal Vein Occlusion or to limit its affects.

To learn more, click here to see a video on Retinal Vein Occlusion.

If you have experienced a sudden change in vision, or if you are concerned about the health of your eyes, it is important to see an eye care specialist immediately. If you have been diagnosed with a retina condition or have been referred to a retina specialist in East Tennessee and would like to make an appointment with Dr. Matt Cole, Knoxville Retina Specialist at Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun, call (865) 584-0905.