Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)
Timely intervention to salvage sight after a retinal 'stroke'.
RVO is a blockage of the retinal veins that causes sudden painless blurring. It is commonly associated with hypertension and diabetes.
What causes RVO?
Uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and glaucoma are the leading risk factors. RVO is a warning sign to optimise cardiovascular health as well.
What is a retinal vein occlusion (RVO)?
An RVO is a 'stroke' of the retinal vein - a clot blocks drainage of blood from part or all of the retina, causing swelling (macular oedema), haemorrhages and, in severe cases, growth of abnormal new vessels. Branch RVO (BRVO) affects a sector of the retina; Central RVO (CRVO) affects the whole retina. Both cause sudden, painless drop in vision, typically overnight.
Risk factors and systemic work-up
Hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, glaucoma, and - in younger patients - thrombophilic disorders. Every RVO patient at Shantanu Netralaya gets a systemic work-up: BP, fasting sugar, HbA1c, lipid profile, ECG. Younger patients (<50) also get a coagulation screen. This is important - the eye is often the first warning of undiagnosed cardiovascular disease.
Treatment protocol
1. Intra-vitreal anti-VEGF or long-acting dexamethasone implant for macular oedema - the main cause of vision loss in RVO. 2. Sector or pan-retinal laser for ischaemic retina to prevent neovascular glaucoma. 3. Systemic control of hypertension, sugar and lipids - the single biggest driver of long-term outcome. Injection intervals are OCT-guided; most patients need 4-6 injections in the first year, then tapered.
Cost and insurance
Every anti-VEGF, dexamethasone implant, laser and OCT is covered by major insurers and PM-JAY (within limits). Written cost estimates are shared upfront.
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