BRANCH RETINAL

VEIN OCCLUSION

by Dr Yeo Kim Teck, Senior Consultant,

Singapore National Eye Centre

Introduction

Next to diabetic retinopathy, branch retinal vein occlusion is the next most common retinal condition affecting the retinal blood vessels.

Risk Factors and Factors Affecting Outcome

BRVO is most commonly associated with high blood pressure. Less commonly, it is also associated with diabetes and glaucoma. The outcome has been found to be slightly worse in those with diabetes who have this condition.
 

Symptoms and Signs

BRVO usually affects the upper outer (supero-temporal) part of the retina. It can thus affect the lower half of the field of vision such as when one is reading. If the centre of the macula (which is responsible for fine vision) is involved, the vision in the centre of the field of vision will be affected.

Treatment

Not all eyes with BRVO will have impaired vision. Sometimes the macula swelling can disappear by itself without the need for any treatment. Typically, the macula swelling that persists is treated with laser (grid pattern laser). Occasionally, an injection of steroids into the eye may be needed. Very occasionally, in eyes where the blocked vein causes lack of oxygen in the affected area, an operation (sheathotomy) to separate the artery from the vein (which are bound together by a thin sheath or tissue) can be effective (see photographs for illustration) .

NB: Photographs courtesy of the Singapore National Eye Centre