Retinal vein occlusion is the blockage or bursting of a vein in the retina causing haemorrhaging in the eye and leakage or swelling in the retina. It can occur at any age but usually occurs in those over 50 years of age. The most common causes by far are diabetes and high blood pressure.

The severity of the blockage will determine the extent of sight loss. Retinal swelling can cause blurred vision and a choice of various intravitreal injections such as Lucentis, Eylea, Avastin and Ozurdex are available for effective treatment. The injections are painless and given under a local anaesthetic with the procedure taking just a few minutes.