Retinal Vascular Disease

Retinal vascular disease is an umbrella term for conditions that affect the arteries, veins, and branches located in the retina. These conditions occur when blood clots block some part of the retinal vasculature, also known as thrombosis. Retinal vascular diseases include retinal vein occlusion and retinal artery occlusion. Plaque buildup, diabetes, smoking, and/or high blood pressure are all known risk factors of retinal vascular disease. Symptoms of retinal vascular diseases can include a sudden, painless loss of vision, which can range from mild to severe.

Retinal vascular diseases can increase a patient’s risk for developing other complications, such as vitreous hemorrhage, glaucoma, and macular edema. Even in cases where symptoms are minimal, patients with retinal vascular diseases should plan to regularly consult with their retina specialist to prevent further vision loss. If there is an underlying condition present, such as diabetes, patients should also consult with their primary care physician about managing the condition.

Managing underlying conditions play a large role in the treatment of retinal vascular diseases. Other treatment options include anti-VEGF medications and photocoagulation.

You can learn about retinal and vein occlusions here.