THE ROLE OF CORTICOSTEROIDS IN THE TREATMENT OF RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION

Abstract

Retinal vein occlusion is a disease caused by partial or complete blockage of the veins draining blood from the retina, leading to sudden and painless vision loss. It is divided into two types: central retinal vein occlusion and branch retinal vein occlusion, depending on the affected vessel. The condition usually develops on the background of vascular disorders or abnormalities in blood coagulation. Early symptoms include blurred vision, metamorphopsia, and scotomas, typically affecting one eye. Fundus examination reveals retinal hemorrhages and macular edema. In long-term cases, vision loss may become irreversible due to macular damage and visual field narrowing, and the risk of neovascularization increases.The disease is more common in individuals over 50 years of age and is strongly associated with systemic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and glaucoma. Global prevalence is estimated at about 0.52%, with higher rates in Asia (0.9–2.1%).