To the ophthalmologist for eye thrombosis Therapy for eye infarction

Thrombosis in the eye: Important questions and answers

What is an eye embolism?

An eye thrombosis is present if a vein passing through the retina is partially or completely blocked by a blood clot, preventing blood from flowing freely. Blood builds up in front of the sealed area, with consequences for the eyesight.
The ophthalmologist usually speaks of retinal vein occlusion.

How does an eye thrombosis develop?

Doctors see a connection between organic diseases and thrombosis in the eye. However, a greatly increased intraocular pressure can also be the cause of a thrombosis in the eye.
The risk factors include cardiovascular diseases (arteriosclerosis), changes in the blood count and certain eye diseases (e.g. glaucoma, inflammatory changes in the retinal vessels). Either a resulting blood clot blocks the vein or changes in the blood vessels prevent the blood from flowing out.

How is a thrombosis noticeable in the eye?

As symptoms of a thrombosis in the eye, those affected mainly notice a visual impairment due to a veil in front of the affected eye or distortion in the field of view. The symptoms are usually more pronounced when you wake up than in the evening, as the arterial blood pressure falls and the pressure in the eye veins increases while lying down to sleep. The degree and severity of the visual impairment depends on the position of the closure and the size of the affected area.

What are the consequences of a thrombosis in the eye?

As a consequence of an eye thrombosis , those affected sooner or later suffer from severe visual impairment. The impairment of the blood supply in the eye is the reason for retinal hemorrhage, vascular changes, macular edema or retinal detachment. In the worst case, there is a risk of complete blindness.

Thrombosis in the eye – what to do?

In general, it is always important to consult an ophthalmologist, especially in the event of sudden visual impairment, so that the cause can be found in good time and the appropriate treatment can be carried out. In addition, the following things can help:

• Minimize risk factors for vascular disease, including nicotine consumption. Smoking damages the vessels.
• Healthy eating and avoiding obesity
• Regular sports sessions
• Sufficient sleep and rest as regeneration time for the cardiovascular system

Who will develop an eye thrombosis?

Eye thrombosis most commonly occurs between the ages of 60 and 70 years. If a thrombosis occurs in the eye before the age of 50, men are mostly affected. Patients who have already had an eye thrombosis have a 5 to 12 percent chance of developing a thrombosis in the other eye in the next 5 years.

What is the difference between a vein occlusion and an artery occlusion in the eye?

During an eye infarction, the arteries in the eye become blocked. This usually happens through an embolism. Thus the eye is suddenly undersupplied with oxygen. Here, vision is very massively and very suddenly impaired.
An eye thrombosis is caused by a narrowing of one or more veins in the eye caused by a local blood clot. This creates a lack of oxygen due to blood congestion in the vessels of the eye. Depending on the location of the occlusion, vision can either be mildly or very reduced.