Retinal vein occlusion is a common condition that many people suffer from each year. Most have no idea what it is until they begin to see the symptoms that accompany it. The eye is cleansed and fed using a series of small blood vessels. In a healthy eye, these allow for a constant flow of blood. Age and other factors can cause these vessels to develop blockages over time. When they become blocked, which is also called “occluded”. The blood forms a clot and cannot pass through.
Symptoms of Retinal Vein Occlusion
The symptoms of retinal vein occlusion can vary from one patient to another. The way the problem appears depends heavily on which blood vessel is blocked. When an artery is blocked, the affected eye will experience blindness. This happens as the retina stops functioning. Some patients experience complete blindness while others only partial blindness. If the blocked vessel is a vein, then vision may become blurry or cloudy due to a rupture. The patient will notice this rather quickly because the problem will develop over a period of a few hours.
How to Treat Retinal Vein Occlusion
When a patient notices the symptoms of retinal vein occlusion, it is vital that they take action immediately. Rather than wait for a doctor’s appointment, the patient should head to the emergency room. This is primarily in cases involving a retinal artery blockage. In a short time, the lack of blood supply will cause parts of the eye to die off permanently.
A vein blockage is not as serious, but should be evaluated by a medical professional. A younger patient may find the blood is absorbed back into the body, with no treatment necessary. In other cases, a laser may be used to stop the blood spillage. This problem is often not noticeable until it actually happens, so regular eye examinations are highly recommended. A medical professional can detect the problem and offer treatment before it becomes serious.