Retinal Vein Occlusion: Causes, Injections & Recovery in Seoul
A Seoul ophthalmologist’s guide to retinal vein occlusion Seoul patients face and how it’s treated
Q. What is retinal vein occlusion and how is it treated?
Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a blockage of one of the veins draining blood from the retina, leading to sudden blurred or distorted vision. Treatment centers on anti-VEGF injections to reduce swelling and prevent complications, alongside managing underlying conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol that commonly contribute to RVO in Seoul patients.
Q. What is retinal vein occlusion?
Retinal vein occlusion occurs when a vein carrying blood away from the retina becomes blocked, usually by a blood clot. This causes blood and fluid to leak into the retina, leading to swelling (macular edema), bleeding, and reduced oxygen supply to retinal tissue. RVO is classified as either central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), affecting the main retinal vein, or branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), affecting a smaller branch vein. Both forms are a leading cause of sudden, painless vision loss in adults over 50, and are increasingly seen among patients across Yeongdeungpo, Guro, and Gasan as the population ages.
Q. What are the symptoms and warning signs?
- Sudden blurring or dimming of vision in one eye
- Distorted or wavy central vision (a sign of macular edema)
- Dark spots, floaters, or a shadow across part of the visual field
- Vision loss ranging from mild blurring to significant, depending on severity
- Painless onset — RVO rarely causes eye pain, unlike acute glaucoma
Retinal Vein Occlusion in Korea: Key Statistics
▸ Retinal vein occlusion is one of the most common retinal vascular disorders after diabetic retinopathy, affecting roughly 1-2% of adults over 40 in Korea
▸ Hypertension is present in over 60% of RVO patients in Korean clinical studies, making blood pressure control central to treatment
▸ BRVO is roughly 3-4 times more common than CRVO among Korean patients diagnosed with retinal vein occlusion
▸ Patients across Seoul districts including Yeongdeungpo, Guro, and Gwanak are advised to seek same-week evaluation for sudden vision changes, as early anti-VEGF treatment improves visual outcomes
Q. What are the treatment options for retinal vein occlusion Seoul patients need to know?
Anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) injections are the first-line treatment for macular edema caused by RVO. Medications such as aflibercept, ranibizumab, or bevacizumab are injected directly into the eye to reduce abnormal blood vessel leakage and swelling, often improving vision within weeks. Most patients require an initial series of monthly injections, followed by less frequent maintenance dosing based on how the retina responds.
In some cases, corticosteroid injections or implants are used, particularly when anti-VEGF response is limited. Laser photocoagulation may also be recommended for BRVO patients with persistent macular edema or to treat areas of poor retinal blood flow that risk developing neovascularization, a serious complication that can lead to glaucoma or retinal detachment if untreated.
Q. What happens during an anti-VEGF injection?
Anti-VEGF injections are performed in-office under topical anesthesia and take only a few minutes. The eye is numbed and disinfected, and the medication is injected into the vitreous cavity using a very fine needle. Most patients describe only mild pressure, not sharp pain. After the injection, patients rest briefly before going home the same day. Repeat injections are scheduled based on OCT imaging results, typically monthly at first, then spaced out as the retina stabilizes.
Q. What are the risks and long-term outlook?
- Untreated macular edema can lead to permanent central vision loss
- Neovascular glaucoma is a serious late complication, particularly after CRVO, requiring urgent treatment
- Anti-VEGF injections carry a small risk of infection, elevated eye pressure, or retinal detachment
- Visual recovery varies widely — BRVO generally has a better prognosis than CRVO
- Ongoing management of hypertension, diabetes, and cholesterol reduces the risk of recurrence or occlusion in the other eye
Types of RVO
BRVO (branch) — most common. CRVO (central) — more severe. Hemi-retinal — affects half the retina.
Treatment Options
Anti-VEGF injections — Corticosteroid implants — Laser photocoagulation
Follow-up Timeline
Month 1: monthly injections. Months 2-6: OCT-guided dosing. Beyond 6 months: maintenance monitoring.
From Dr. Daniel Baik
“Retinal vein occlusion can be frightening because vision changes happen suddenly, but timely anti-VEGF treatment has transformed outcomes for my patients in Yeongdeungpo, Guro, and Gasan. What matters most is getting an OCT scan and starting treatment quickly, and working together to control the blood pressure or diabetes that often underlies the occlusion.”
— Dr. Daniel Baik, board-certified ophthalmologist, Nunehim Eye Center
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What causes retinal vein occlusion?
RVO is most often caused by a blood clot forming in a retinal vein, frequently related to hardening of the arteries pressing against the vein. Risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, glaucoma, and, less commonly, blood clotting disorders in younger patients.
Q. Can retinal vein occlusion be cured?
There is no single cure that reverses the blockage itself, but anti-VEGF injections, steroids, and laser treatment effectively manage the complications — particularly macular edema — and can preserve or improve vision significantly if started early.
Q. How many injections will I need for RVO?
Most patients need an initial series of 3-6 monthly anti-VEGF injections, followed by additional treatments as needed based on OCT monitoring. Some patients require ongoing injections for a year or more, while others stabilize sooner.
Q. Is retinal vein occlusion linked to stroke risk?
Yes. RVO shares risk factors with stroke and cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and atherosclerosis. Patients diagnosed with RVO are often referred for blood pressure, blood sugar, and cardiovascular evaluation as part of comprehensive care.
Q. Will my vision return to normal after treatment?
Visual outcomes depend on the type and severity of occlusion and how quickly treatment begins. BRVO patients often regain significant vision with prompt treatment, while CRVO patients, especially with ischemic changes, may have more limited recovery.
Q. How urgent is it to see a doctor for sudden blurred vision?
Sudden blurred or distorted vision should be evaluated within days, not weeks. Early diagnosis with OCT and prompt anti-VEGF treatment significantly improves the chance of preserving central vision in RVO.
Q. Can retinal vein occlusion happen in both eyes?
While RVO usually affects one eye at a time, having it in one eye increases the risk of eventual occlusion in the other, particularly if underlying conditions like hypertension or diabetes remain poorly controlled. Regular monitoring of both eyes is recommended.
Book a Consultation
Nunehim Eye Center — nunehim.com — Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
📍 Visit Nunehim Eye Center — Guro, Seoul
Convenient access from Guro, Gasan, Gwanak & Dongjak. Near Guro Digital Complex Station (Line 2).
Address: 551 Siheung-daero, Guro-gu, Seoul · nunehim.com
Hours: Mon–Fri 09:00–18:30 (lunch 13–14), Sat 09:00–14:00
Languages: Korean & English
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