What is retinal vascular occlusion?
Learn about the symptoms, causes and types of retinal vascular occlusion.
Summary
Retinal vascular occlusion is a condition where there is a blockage, or occlusion, to one of the blood vessels in the retina. This can block or obstruct blood flow to the retina and can have negative side effects on your vision.
The retina is located at the back of the eye, and it is responsible for converting light into electrical impulses and transmitting it to the brain which turns it into images. There is a network of blood vessels supplying nutrients and oxygen called arteries, as well as a network of blood vessels removing the waste called veins.
There is one main artery (central retinal artery) that enters the back of the eye through the optic nerve. The central retinal artery splits at the point of entry into two branches, one supplying the top part and the other supplying the bottom part of the retina. These two branches in turn split again in two, one to supply blood to the left, and the other to the right of the retina.
Like the arteries, there are four branch veins that join to form the central retinal vein that leaves the eye through the optic nerve at the back of your eye. The branch veins split into other much smaller veins which spread out all over the retina.
Retinal vascular occlusion is caused by a blockage (occlusion) in one of the blood vessels in the retina, obstructing or completely blocking the normal blood flow.
For more information
- Visit the Macular Disease Foundation’s RVO webpage.
- Always speak to your GP and eye care professional about the best treatment options for you.
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