What Is Retinal Vein Occlusion, a Serious Eye Condition Imran Khan Underwent Procedure For?

Former

Pakistan Prime Minister, currently in jail, underwent a medical procedure for a threatening eye condition at a government hospital, an official said. According to officials, Khan was diagnosed with Retinal Vein Occlusion, a blockage of the small veins that carry blood away from the retina. He was examined by a team of doctors at Rawalpindi’s Adiala prison, where he is serving multiple sentences. Later, he was taken to a government hospital where the 20-minute procedure was conducted before being returned to jail the same night. "He is in good health," Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar was quoted by Geo News.

What is retinal vein occlusion?

Retinal vein occlusion, or RVO, is a partial or total blockage in a vein that drains blood from your retina - a layer of tissue at the back of your eye that translates light into images you can see. A blockage in a retinal vein prevents blood from leaving your retina, which can cause serious complications like increased pressure in your eye and swelling. These issues need prompt treatment to prevent or minimize vision loss. There’s no current safe way to unblock the vein. However, treatment can manage complications and protect your vision. According to the Cleveland Clinic, eye specialists can tailor treatment to your individual needs. You may need multiple treatments, ranging from injections to surgery, to manage your condition. There are two types of RVO:

• Central retinal vein occlusion, which causes blockage of the main retinal vein.
• Branch retinal vein occlusion, or blockage of one of the smaller branch veins.

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What causes retinal vein occlusion?

Studies, including those published by the National Institutes of Health, say the condition is caused by a disruption to normal blood flow through the retinal vein, which can happen due to:

• A blood clot
• A slowdown of blood flow
• Compression of your retinal vein at the point where it crosses paths with your retinal artery.

Also, there are many risk factors for the condition, which include being over the age of 40 years, although it can occur among younger people as well. Also, if you have certain medical conditions like diabetes, glaucoma, or high blood pressure, these can also raise the risk.

Signs and symptoms of retinal vein occlusion

There may be no symptoms until complications arise. A few symptoms of retinal vein occlusion typically affect one eye and include:

• Blurry vision or vision loss
• Floaters, dark spots, or lines
• Pain and pressure in your eye

1. How is retinal vein occlusion diagnosed?Eye care specialists diagnose RVO through an eye exam and retinal imaging tests by dilating your pupils so they can see into the back of each eye.
2. What are the treatments for retinal vein occlusion?There is at present 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, and panretinal photocoagulation
3. How can you prevent retinal vein occlusion?If you are at risk for retinal vein occlusion, the first step toward preventing it is to take specific steps. Things you can do to lower your risk include eating a healthy diet, regularly exercising, keeping a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking and all tobacco products.