Retinal vein occlusion

Retinal vein occlusion is a common disease, especially in the elderly, and is associated with significant visual morbidity, as a consequence of persistent macular oedema, macular ischemia, and in the advanced stages of the disease, due to retinal or iris neovascularisation with vitreal haemorrhages or neovascular glaucoma. There are two types of retinal vein occlusion with respect to the site of occlusion: branch retinal vein occlusion and central retinal vein occlusion. The obstruction is mainly due to external compression of the rigid artery over a vein. The main risk factors for retinal vein occlusion are established cardiovascular risk factors: hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus, whereas inherited or acquired types of trombophilia play a minor role. An overview of diagnostic and treatment aproaches, and guidlines for follow-up of patients with retinal vein occlusion are presented.