Retinal Vein Occlusion: Causes, Risks, and What Treatments Actually Work

When a vein in your retina gets blocked, it’s called retinal vein occlusion, a sudden blockage of blood flow in the small veins that drain the retina. Also known as an eye stroke, it’s not a heart attack—but it can be just as damaging to your vision. This isn’t rare. Around 1 in 100 people over 40 will experience it, often without warning. The blockage stops blood from leaving the retina, causing fluid to leak, swelling to build up, and sometimes new, fragile blood vessels to grow where they shouldn’t. That’s when vision gets blurry, dark spots appear, or sight disappears suddenly.

Most cases happen because of underlying problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. Glaucoma and blood disorders can also play a role. It’s not just about aging—it’s about how well your blood vessels are maintained. If you’ve had a blood clot in your leg or a heart issue, your risk goes up. The swelling that follows, called macular edema, fluid buildup in the central part of the retina responsible for sharp vision, is what makes reading, driving, or recognizing faces hard. Without treatment, permanent damage can happen in weeks.

Thankfully, treatments have improved a lot. The most common approach is anti-VEGF injections, medications injected directly into the eye to stop abnormal blood vessel growth and reduce swelling. Drugs like Avastin, Lucentis, and Eylea are used regularly and often restore some lost vision. Steroid eye implants are another option, especially if injections don’t work well enough. Laser therapy is still used in some cases, but it’s less common now. The key is catching it early. If you notice sudden vision changes—even if they seem to fade—you need an eye exam right away.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides from people who’ve dealt with this. You’ll read about how these treatments work in practice, what side effects to watch for, how to manage long-term eye health after a blockage, and what lifestyle changes actually help reduce your risk of another episode. There’s no fluff—just clear info on what works, what doesn’t, and what your doctor might not have told you. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, caring for someone who is, or just trying to understand your own eye health, these posts give you the facts you need to protect your sight.