Diagnosis and treatment of eye thrombosis

Various ophthalmological examinations are available for the diagnosis of eye thrombosis . A detailed diagnosis of the findings allows to choose the optimal treatment for a vein occlusion in order to help those affected in the best possible way. Find out below which examinations and suitable therapies are available for thrombosis in the eye.

Ophthalmological examination for eye thrombosis

If there is a suspicion of a retinal vein occlusion, a general ophthalmological investigation is made. The following examinations can serve the ophthalmologist to identify an eye thrombosis:

  • Eye test and funduscopy

    The ophthalmological examination for a possible eye thrombosis consists of an eye test with fundoscopy – also known as an ocular fundus examination. The retina is examined using a slit lamp.

  • OCT macula examination

    Macular edema often occurs as a consequence of an eye thrombosis . In order to identify or exclude macular edema, the macula should be examined using OCT. This enables the structures of the central retina to be examined in detail.

  • OCT angiography to examine eye thrombosis

    OCT angiography (optical coherence tomography angiography) can also be performed. This is a non-invasive examination that makes it possible to visualize the vessels of the retina in order to identify vessels and areas of the retina that are not or only poorly supplied with blood.

  • Fluorescence angiography to examine eye thrombosis

    For examining the outermost areas of the retina in particular, a conventional vascular examination using fluorescent dye is also possible – fluorescence angiography. This is an invasive ophthalmological examination. A fluorescent dye is brought into the bloodstream through an access in the arm vein. A special camera makes this dye visible in the retina. Vessels not supplied with blood can be easily identified in this way and an eye thrombosis as well as the position of areas of the retina not supplied with blood can be clearly identified.

  • Further examinations for retinal vein occlusion

    Anyone who suffers from an eye thrombosis has an generally increased risk of vascular occlusion . It is therefore advisable to have an internal and cardiological examination carried out. A possibly existing glaucoma should also be excluded. In the case of vein occlusions that have been in place for a long time, there is also the risk of so-called secondary glaucoma due to the poor blood circulation and the associated formation of new vessels (Special form of glaucoma) .

Treatment of eye thrombosis

Once the examinations to unequivocally diagnose an eye thrombosis have been completed, various treatment options are available. Depending on the findings, laser therapy or intraocular injection therapy is used.

  • Intraocular Injection Therapy (IVOM)

    Intraocular injection therapy involves injecting medication into the vitreous space of the eye. The injected drug inhibits the growth of diseased vessels, which otherwise can lead to a swelling in the center of the retina and significantly worsen eyesight.

  • Laser therapy for eye thrombosis

    Laser therapy is suitable for treating certain forms of thrombosis in the eye. A laser is used to treat the areas of the retina that are not or only very poorly supplied with blood due to the vein occlusion.

  • No treatment for eye thrombosis

    Under certain circumstances, an eye thrombosis finding may not require immediate treatment. In that case, there is a good chance for those affected that the thrombosis in the eye will regenerate again. Nevertheless, constant monitoring by the ophthalmologist is important in order to promptly recognize a sudden deterioration in the findings.

Don't be afraid of the ophthalmologist!

Our ophthalmological practice has specialized in the detection and treatment of retinal diseases. We use the latest technologies in ophthalmology, work very sensitively, absolutely sterile and particularly precisely, so that examinations and treatment can be experienced quickly and painlessly.