There’s currently no way to reverse or cure the blockage in your retinal vein. But eye care specialists can prevent or treat the complications of retinal vein occlusion with:

  • Anti-VEGF injections.
  • Steroid injections.
  • Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP).
  • Vitrectomy surgery.
  • Medications to manage risk factors.

The goals of treatment are to:

  • Improve your vision or prevent it from getting worse.
  • Identify and treat complications that can harm your vision and eye health.
  • Manage risk factors to prevent future problems.

Your provider will combine treatment options as necessary and explain the timing for each.

Anti-VEGF injections

This is a first-line (first-choice) treatment for people with macular edema. VEGF stands for vascular endothelial growth factor. This is a protein that spurs new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis). Too much VEGF can lead to the formation of abnormal blood vessels that can leak and cause swelling.

Anti-VEGF injections interrupt the production of VEGF in your eye to reduce swelling. Your provider gives you eye drops to numb your eye and reduce pain before injecting the medication into the gel-like substance (vitreous humor) that fills your eyeball. You may need injections at regular intervals for one to two years depending on your condition.

Steroid injections

Injections of steroid medication into your eye can also help reduce swelling. However, in some people, steroid injections cause elevated eye pressure and cataracts. So, they’re often a second-line treatment when anti-VEGF injections aren’t adequate.

Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP)

This laser surgery creates small burns in areas of your retina that lack blood flow. Doing so decreases the number of proteins (VEGF) that promote the formation of abnormal blood vessels. Reducing VEGF helps prevent neovascularization and related bleeding in your eye. It also helps keep your intraocular pressure stable.

Vitrectomy surgery

Posterior pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is a surgery that helps people with retinal vein occlusion who have:

  • Severe bleeding in their eye (vitreous hemorrhage).
  • Bleeding that lasts more than four weeks.
  • Bleeding that keeps coming back.
  • Retinal detachment.

Surgery removes vitreous humor from your eye and repairs damage to your retina.

Medications to manage risk factors

Many people with retinal vein occlusion have underlying conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol. These conditions can raise your risk of blood vessel problems. Your eye care specialist will work together with your primary care physician (PCP) to tailor treatment to your needs. Your PCP may prescribe medications to:

  • Lower your blood pressure.
  • Manage your cholesterol levels.
  • Address other issues.