Dilated retinal examination
The pattern of bleeding and vessel change identifies the type of occlusion.
Retinal vascular care
Retinal Vein Occlusion
Treatment and monitoring for blocked retinal veins.
Specialist care · Advanced technology
Retinal vein occlusion
Understanding the condition
Clear information for confident decisions.
A retinal vein occlusion can cause bleeding, swelling and painless blurred vision.
01ConditionBlocked retinal vein
02Typical effectPainless blur from bleeding or macular swelling
03Key testsOCT and retinal imaging
04Treatment goalControl swelling and complications
Symptoms
What you may notice.
Symptoms vary between people, and some conditions cause no early warning. A specialist examination is needed for an accurate diagnosis.
01
Sudden or gradual painless blur in one eye
02
Distorted central vision
03
A dark or missing patch
04
Floaters caused by retinal bleeding
05
Reduced contrast or difficulty reading
Causes and risk factors
What may increase your risk.
Having a risk factor does not confirm the condition. Your history and examination are considered together.
01High blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol
02Glaucoma or raised eye pressure
03Smoking and cardiovascular disease
04Increasing age or selected clotting disorders
Assessment01 02 03 04
How it is diagnosed.
OCT scan
Imaging measures macular swelling and guides treatment.
Retinal angiography
Dye imaging may map circulation, leakage and areas of poor perfusion.
General-health review
Blood pressure and vascular risk factors are reviewed with the patient’s medical team.
Aftercare
Recovery and follow-up.
01
Attend OCT monitoring because swelling can recur without an obvious early symptom.
02
Keep injection or laser appointments on the recommended schedule.
03
Work with your GP to address blood pressure and other vascular risks.
04
Report pain, redness, sudden worsening or new floaters promptly.
Common questions
Answers with clarity.
These answers are general. Your own care plan may differ after examination.
01Is a retinal vein occlusion the same as a stroke?+
It is a blockage in a retinal vein. It prompts review of vascular health but is not the same event as a brain stroke.
02Will vision recover?+
Recovery varies with the vessel involved, macular damage, circulation and response to treatment.
03How long are injections needed?+
The course is guided by OCT and disease activity; some people require ongoing treatment.
04Can it affect the other eye?+
Risk depends on general health and eye factors, so managing these and monitoring both eyes are important.