Retinal vein occlusion

This is a picture of a branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) that is much worse than the one I have. If I can get a copy of the photo that my optometrist took, I'll scan it in so you can see what the inside of my eye actually looks like, but in the mean time, imagine just a few little flecks of blood here and there, like pepper,  not a huge cloud. I'm pretty sure the hemorrhage in my eye is in a branch vein rather than the central vein. Here's the definition from the website where I found the photo:

BRVO is a retinal vascular disease most often related to hypertension, elevated lipids/triglyceride/cholesterol, diabetes, carotid artery disease, cardiac disease, or hematologic (blood) disorders. In BRVO there is an occlusion of a branch retinal vein by a compressing, sclerotic retinal artery. This often leads to hemorrhage (bleeding), edema (swelling), or ischemia (poor circulation) of the retina and macula with resultant visual loss.

The vision loss I have is pretty minimal. I feel like I'm looking through a smear of oil on the left side, but I can still read the computer screen with that eye with a certain amount of squinting and peering. It would be extremely annoying if it affected both eyes, and I probably wouldn't be able to keep working for more than a half hour at a time. Fortunately, though, my right eye is not involved.

The mystery is what caused it. I don't have diabetes. My blood pressure is at the high end of normal and so is my cholesterol, so you wouldn't expect a vascular incident to result from either of those conditions. I'll be doing a stress test and a carotid artery sonogram as soon as I can get them scheduled and I'll keep you all posted. In the mean time, please forgive any typos or slow blogging while I deal with the mayonnaise on my glasses.

Here's a really good source I found to explain the condition. One of the schematics looks very much like a drawing of my eye--except that in my case the macula (yellow spot) is partially covered:

Comments

[prairie biker]

It was probably Kent trying to sabotage your lazer vision.

[paul]

msybe it would help to rest yuor eyed

[ken]

Best wishes. My company deals with similar vascular conditions but in the brain, so it's beyond my lay expertise. Sounds like your doctors are intent on finding the reason as well as you.

Although you could describe your vision as Guiccone-esque. Has a nice ring to it.

[Scott P]

Hope it clears up soon, Gail. It must be really frustrating.

[Carin]

Eye patch ... I'm telling ya, it'll look sexy.

[Pixie]

Eye patch ... I'm telling ya, it'll look sexy.

Especially in that hottie cat suit!

oooooh baybeeeee!

[joated]

I hope any treatments the docs prescribe work quickly.

Get well. (I do like Carin's and Pixie's thoughts, however. Different colors and jewels for all occasions. Accessorize. That's the ticket!)

[CraigC]

What about combing your hair over that eye, kind of like Hitler?

[gail]

Or Veronica Lake