# How is Retinal Vein Occlusion Treated?

Source page: https://www.kudretgozistanbul.com/en/blog/eye-diseases/how-is-retinal-vein-occlusion-treated

**Author:** Kudret Eye İstanbul | **Medical Approval:** Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özdil | **Date:** 2026-09-13

> **Summary:** Retinal vein occlusion is a blockage of the blood vessels in the retina that stops blood reaching it properly and can cause sudden or gradual sight loss. Treatment aims to preserve vision and halt progression, mainly with anti-VEGF or steroid injections, laser, and in some cases vitrectomy.

## Quick Facts
- **Main treatments:** Anti-VEGF injections, steroid injections (such as dexamethasone), laser (panretinal photocoagulation), pars plana vitrectomy
- **Higher risk:** People over fifty, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, glaucoma, smokers
- **Emergency:** Sudden, painless loss of vision may be caused by an artery occlusion

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## Types of Occlusion
- **Central retinal vein occlusion:** the main retinal vein is blocked; vision usually decreases suddenly and painlessly; can be linked to high blood pressure and diabetes.
- **Hemiretinal vein occlusion:** affects half of the retina.
- **Branch retinal vein occlusion:** a smaller vessel is blocked; blurred vision and black spots or thread-like shapes drifting across the eye are generally seen.
- **Retinal artery occlusion:** blockage of the artery that carries blood to the retina. Sudden, painless sight loss may be caused by it and is an emergency: see an eye doctor or go to an emergency department straight away.

Sight loss can begin suddenly or worsen over time. Occlusions are seen more often in older people and are generally linked to chronic problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and glaucoma.

## Causes
- Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis): fat build-up narrows and hardens them
- Blood clots blocking retinal vessels
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure (hardens vessels, can lead to clots)
- Glaucoma (high pressure within the eye)
- Inflammation in the eye
- Smoking (raises clotting tendency and hardens vessels)
- High cholesterol (accelerates plaque formation)

## Symptoms
- Partial or total sight loss in the affected eye, generally the first and clearest sign
- Black spots and lines in the field of vision
- Swelling of the macula
- Abnormal new vessels forming in the eye

See an eye doctor without delay if you notice sudden loss of vision, a marked increase in floaters or a curtain coming down over your field of vision.

## Who Is at Risk?
- Older people, especially over fifty
- People with cardiovascular disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease
- Patients with diabetes
- People with clotting disorders
- Smokers
- Patients with glaucoma
- People with metabolic syndrome

Diagnosis is generally made through detailed examinations and tests.

## Treatment
Treatment is planned individually according to general health and the severity of the blockage; the aim is to preserve vision and prevent complications.
- **Anti-VEGF injections:** intraocular injections are generally the most often used treatment; given at regular intervals to prevent swelling over the retina and new vessel formation and slow progression. The pupil is dilated, the eye numbed with local anaesthesia, the medicine injected with a fine needle, and the eye cleaned afterwards.
- **Steroid injections:** medicines such as dexamethasone reduce swelling and inflammation; an alternative for patients who do not benefit from anti-VEGF.
- **Laser treatment (panretinal photocoagulation):** after numbing and fitting a contact lens, small laser burns are made on the retina to stop new, leaking, abnormal vessels from forming.
- **Pars plana vitrectomy:** the vitreous gel is removed to reduce pressure on the retina and clear bleeding; generally for patients who do not respond to other treatment.

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## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Does vascular occlusion in the eye heal completely?**
A: The blocked vessel generally cannot be reopened, but treatment can preserve vision and prevent complications.

**Q: What are the symptoms?**
A: Usually painless sight loss that develops suddenly or slowly, black spots in the field of vision and blurred vision.

**Q: Who is at risk?**
A: People over fifty, those with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or glaucoma, and smokers.

**Q: What is the aim of treatment?**
A: To preserve vision, reduce macular oedema, prevent new vessel formation and prevent complications.

**Q: Can it be prevented?**
A: Yes. Regular eye examinations, controlling blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, giving up smoking and a healthy life all reduce the risk.