Retinal Vein Occlusion Research

Retinal vein occlusion research focuses on several drug therapies.

Retinal vein occlusion is a condition that results when one of the veins in the retina becomes blocked. Retinal vein occlusion is commonly associated with hardening of the arteries and the formation of a blood clot. Given that these veins carry blood out of the eye, a blockage can result in a restriction of blood flow and swelling of the retinal tissue, ultimately leading to blurriness, distorted vision or blindness in the affected eye. Retinal vein occlusion can be associated with other eye diseases, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema.

Types of retinal vein occlusion

There are two types of retinal vein occlusion:

• Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO): This condition occurs when the central, or main, retinal vein becomes blocked. It is the more severe form of the disease.
• Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO): This condition is characterized by a blockage in one of the smaller veins that branch off of the central retinal vein. It is the more common form of the disease.

Retinal vein occlusion drug research

Our recent and ongoing retinal vein occlusion research focuses on several retinal vein occlusion drug studies. These studies focus on the safety and efficacy of retinal vein occlusion drugs, either relative to observation alone or through comparisons of different treatments.

Diabetes and eye research

Patients with diabetes may be at increased risk for developing retinal vein occlusion. As a result of the international diabetes epidemic, the number of cases of macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema and other associated conditions, including retinal vein occlusion, has spiked dramatically. Our department has made diabetes care a key focus of our ongoing eye research, including engaging in joint eye research efforts with the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network (DRCR.net), a collaborative research network funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Eye Institute. All Henry Ford Department of Ophthalmology retinal specialists belong to this multicenter network, which supports clinical research focusing on all diabetes-induced retinal disorders.

Advanced treatment for retinal disease

Henry Ford retinal specialists have extensive experience in the treatment of all retinal diseases, regardless of their complexity. In addition, our team works closely with Henry Ford Medical Group physicians in other departments, providing multidisciplinary, coordinated care for those patients who need it. Our patients have access to advanced diagnostic tests and treatment and, if eligible, related clinical trials.