Update on Retinal Vein Occlusion

Abstract

Retinal vein occlusion represents the second leading cause of retinal vascular disorders, with a uniform sex distribution worldwide. A thorough evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors is required to correct possible comorbidities. The diagnosis and management of retinal vein occlusion have changed tremendously in the last 30 years, but the assessment of retinal ischemia at baseline and during follow-up examinations remains crucial. New imaging techniques have shed light on the pathophysiology of the disease and laser treatment, once the only therapeutic option, is now only one of the possible approaches with antivascular endothelial growth factors and steroid injections being preferred in most cases. Nowadays long-term outcomes are better than those achievable 20 years ago and yet, many new therapeutic options are under development, including new intravitreal drugs and gene therapy. Despite this, some cases still develop sight-threatening complications deserving a more aggressive (sometimes surgical) approach. The purpose of this comprehensive review is to reappraise some old but still valid concepts and to integrate them with new research and clinical data. The work will provide an overview of the disease's pathophysiology, natural history, and clinical features along with a detailed discussion on the advantages of multimodal imaging and of the different treatment strategies with the aim of providing retina specialists with the most updated knowledge in the field.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Early Diagnosis of Retinal Diseases

“…Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) ranks as the second most common retinal vascular disease after diabetic retinopathy [67,68]. It is characterized by sudden painless loss of vision.…”

Aging in Ocular Blood Vessels: Molecular Insights and the Role of Oxidative Stress

“…Aging is also closely related to diseases related to retinal vascular occlusion, and the risk of branched retinal vascular obstruction (BRVO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) increases with age and concurrent cardiovascular disease [137]. Retinal vascular obstruction (RVO) mainly occurs among the elderly, with more than 50% of cases occurring in people over 65 years [138].…”

Advances in Diagnosis and Therapy of Retinal Diseases

“…An update on the diagnosis and management of retinal vein occlusions has been given by Romano et al5 They describe the necessity to undertake a thorough evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with retinal vein occlusions and to differentiate the nonischemic type from the ischemic type of retinal vein occlusions. They also discuss treatment modalities including retinal laser coagulation and intravitreal medical therapy with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibodies and intravitreally applied steroids.…”