Statistics and Associations
- Obstruction of the retinal venous drainage system usually due to a hardened artery pressing on a retinal vein
- Associated high blood pressure (60%), Glaucoma (40%), Diabetes, Heart Disease, rarely Hypercoagulable States (conditions that cause blood to be thicker than normal)
- 50% will have Macular edema, 20% will develop epiretinal membranes
- 50% will have better than 20/40 visual acuity
Management
- Medical evaluation with attention to cardiovascular system to treat underlying cause
- If macular involvement, intraocular injection of anti-VEGF agent.
- New blood vessel growth may require laser treatment