About Retinal Vein Occlusion
Blocking of the retinal vein, which reduces vision, is known as Retinal Vein Occlusion. This results in the accumulation of blood (retinal haemorrhages) and fluid (macular oedema) in the retina and leads to a drop in visual acuity (clarity of vision).
Types of Retinal Vein Occlusion
There are two types of Retinal Vein Occlusion:
- Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO)
- Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO)
Causes
A blockage forms in the vein, usually due to a blood clot, and obstructs the blood flow. The exact cause is unknown, but several conditions make the condition more likely. These include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Glaucoma
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Certain rare blood disorders
Symptoms
Retinal vein occlusion sometimes may not have any symptoms. However, some symptoms to observe are:
- Blurry or missing vision in part or all of an eye
- Dark spots or lines floating the vision
- Pain and pressure in the eye
Diagnosis
Retinal Vein Occlusion is diagnosed clinically with a dilated eye examination. Additional imaging such as fluorescein angiography and ocular coherence tomography (OCT) may be needed to confirm the diagnosis and monitor the progression of the disease.
Treatment of Retinal Vein Occlusion includes:
Ocular treatment:
- Observation if only a small vein is involved and does not affect the macula (central part of the vision).
- Intravitreal injections of either anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents or steroid injection to treat the macular edema.
- Laser photocoagulation may be administered to the peripheral ischemic retina.
Systemic treatment:
- Management of systemic factors (close control of blood pressure and blood sugar levels).
Retinal Vein Occlusion Specialists
Dr. Ammar Safar
Chief Medical Officer and Consultant Ophthalmologist & Vitreoretinal SurgeonGCAA Approved Specialist Aviation Medical Examiner
Professor of Ophthalmology (Adjunct)
Brief Introduction
Dr. Ammar is the Chief Medical Officer of Moorfields Eye Hospitals UAE and a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences and as a GCAA-approved Specialist Aviation Medical Examiner. With extensive clinical, academic, and leadership experience across the United States, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates, Dr. Ammar brings a broad international perspective to his work in ophthalmology and healthcare leadership.
Areas of Expertise
Visit Profile - Vitreoretinal diseases and surgery
- Retinal Detachment surgery
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Macular hole surgery
- Cataract surgery
- Intravitreal injections
- Retinal vascular diseases and vascular occlusive disorders
- Age-related macular degeneration, including exudative macular degeneration
- Aviation Ophthalmology
- American Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
- Medical degree from Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria
- Residency training in Ophthalmology at Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
- Served as Chief Resident at Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
- Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Diseases & Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre, Dallas, Texas, USA
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS)
- American Society of Retina Specialists
- European Society of Retina Specialists
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
- Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
- Arab-American Medical Association
- Adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU)
- Former Assistant Professor and later Associate Professor and Director of Vitreoretinal Surgery at the Department of Ophthalmology, Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, USA
- Conducted research and clinical trials in diabetic retinopathy and age-related eye diseases
- Research contributed to advances in the management of retinal vascular diseases, including diabetic retinopathy and vascular occlusive disorders
- Research contributed to new approaches for the treatment of exudative macular degeneration
- Inaugural recipient of The Martha Wood Bentley Endowed Chair of Ophthalmology at the University of Arkansas
Dr. Fahd Quhill
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Medical Retina and Ocular inflammatory disease (Uveitis)Clinical Professor Of Ophthalmology (Adjunct)
Brief intro
Dr. Fahd Quhill is a Consultant Ophthalmologist specialising in Medical Retina and Ocular inflammatory disease at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City. He has over 25 years of international experience and trained in Ophthalmology across leading centres in the United Kingdom, including Oxford, Birmingham and London
Areas of Expertise
Visit Profile - Uveitis and ocular inflammatory diseases
- Infectious eye diseases
- Autoimmune diseases affecting the eye
- Complex inflammatory eye disease requiring immunosuppressive treatment
- Diabetic retinal disease
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Inherited retinal diseases
- Retinal vascular diseases
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), University of Birmingham, UK
- Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCSEd)
- Member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (MRCOphth)
- Bachelor of Medical Science (BMedSc), University of Birmingham, UK
- Ophthalmology specialist training in Oxford, Birmingham and London, UK
- Three Medical Retina Fellowships completed in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Moorfields Eye Hospital London, UK
- Member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
- Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology (Adjunct)
- Principal Investigator in numerous clinical trials investigating macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion and diabetic macular oedema
- Author of 27 research papers on retinal and ocular inflammatory diseases
- Research published in leading peer-reviewed journals, including Ophthalmology, British Journal of Ophthalmology and Eye
Dr. Luisa M. Sastre
Consultant Ophthalmologist in General Ophthalmology and Cataract SurgeryGCAA Approved Specialist Aeromedical Examiner
Brief intro
Dr. Luisa Sastre is a Consultant Ophthalmologist in General Ophthalmology and Cataract Surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, in Dubai Healthcare City. She has a special interest in retinal diseases, including diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, among other retinal problems. She has more than 20 years of regional and international experience across Spain and the UAE, including practice at leading medical institutions in Madrid. Alongside her clinical work, she contributes to humanitarian initiatives providing cataract treatment to patients with limited access to specialist eye care.
Areas of Expertise
Visit Profile - General ophthalmology
- Cataract assessment and surgery
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Macular degeneration
- Medical degree from Universidad Autónoma Medical School, Spain
- Board Certification in Ophthalmology from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
- Ophthalmology residency at Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Board Certification in Intensive Care Medicine
- Intensive Care Medicine residency at Fundacion Jiménez Diaz, Madrid, Spain
- PhD from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
- Master’s degree in Healthcare Organisation Leadership from ESADE Business School, Spain
- Member of Sociedad Española de Oftalmología (SEO)
- Member of Surgical Eye Expeditions International, a nonprofit humanitarian organisation supporting eye care clinics worldwide
- Presented papers at national and international congresses
- Organised educational courses on cataract surgery and medical retina for professional peers and opticians
Dr. Avinash Gurbaxani
Visiting Consultant Ophthalmologist in Uveitis and Medical Retinal Diseases and Cataract Surgery
Brief intro
Dr. Avinash is a visiting Consultant Ophthalmologist in Uveitis, Medical Retina & Cataract surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai.
He has more than 25 years of regional and international experience including the United Kingdom, Australia and the United Arab Emirates. He is currently the Medical Retina Lead for Moorfields South and Clinical Director for Moorfields at St. George’s Hospital in London.
He has a private practice at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, Welbeck Clinic and Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai.
Areas of Expertise
Visit Profile - Uveitis and inflammatory eye diseases
- Complex inflammatory eye diseases requiring immunosuppressive treatment
- Diabetic retinal disease
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Retinal vascular diseases
- Medical retinal diseases
- Cataract surgery including premium intraocular lenses
- Complex cataract surgery associated with inflammatory and retinal eye diseases
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, India
- Diploma in Ophthalmic Medicine and Surgery, India
- Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in Ophthalmology
- Ophthalmology training in Oxford and London, UK
- Medical Retina and Uveitis Fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
- Medical Retina and Uveitis Fellowship at Sydney Eye Hospital, Australia
- Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth)
- Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCS Ed)
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
- Experienced in initiating ophthalmology research projects
- Experience in conducting clinical trials
- Regularly publishes research papers.
Dr. Ziad Bashshur
Visiting Consultant Ophthalmologist in Medical & Surgical Retina
Brief Introduction
Dr. Ziad Bashshur is a visiting Ophthalmologist specialising in Medical and Surgical Retina at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City. He has more than 25 years of regional and international experience in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery across Lebanon and the United States.
Areas of Expertise
Visit Profile - Medical retina
- Surgical retina
- Vitreoretinal diseases and surgery
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon
- Internal Medicine internship at Georgetown/VA Medical Center, USA
- Ophthalmology residency at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon
- Vitreoretinal Fellowship at the University of Virginia, USA
- Member of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS)
- Member of the Retina Society
- Member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
- Tenured Professor and Vice-Chairman of Ophthalmology at the American University of Beirut
- Published more than 60 research papers on retinal diseases
- Research areas include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular diseases and retinal imaging
- Regular speaker at professional ophthalmology meetings worldwide
- Serves on the review boards of several peer-reviewed ophthalmology journals
- Serves on several medical industry advisory boards
Dr. Wajiha Kheir
Visiting Consultant Ophthalmologist in Medical Retina and Ocular Oncology
Dr. Wajiha Kheir is a visiting Consultant Ophthalmologist, specialised in Medical Retina and Ocular Oncology at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City. She has more than eight years of regional and international experience across Lebanon and the United States, with advanced subspecialty training at Duke Eye Center, Duke University School of Medicine.
Areas of Expertise
Visit Profile - Medical retina
- Ocular oncology
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Radiation retinopathy
- Retinal degenerations
- Electrophysiology of vision
- Bachelor of Science in Biology with High Distinction from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon
- Recipient of the Penrose Award
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon
- Internal Medicine internship at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, Lebanon
- Ophthalmology residency at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, Lebanon
- Fellowship in Medical Retina at Duke Eye Center, Duke University School of Medicine, USA
- Fellowship in Ocular Oncology with Clinical Pathology Concentration at Duke Eye Center, Duke University School of Medicine, USA
- Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
- International Society of Ocular Oncology (ISOO)
- Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at American University of Beirut
- Author of 18 peer-reviewed journal articles
- Author of 10 book chapters
- Research presented in more than 40 poster and paper presentations at regional and international conferences
- Research interests include age-related macular degeneration, Ocular oncology, radiation retinopathy, retinal degenerations and electrophysiology of vision
Dr. Muhammad Amjad
Visiting Consultant Ophthalmologist in Adult and Paediatric Retinal diseases and Cataract surgery
Brief Introduction
Dr. Muhammad Amjad is a highly experienced Consultant ophthalmic surgeon, specialising in retinal diseases in adults and children and advanced cataract surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, in Dubai Healthcare City. He has a particular sub-specialist interest in children's retinal conditions, bringing specialist paediatric retina expertise that is not widely available in the region.
He brings more than 15 years of international clinical experience, having completed his specialist ophthalmology training in the UK, together with fellowship training in Medical and Surgical Retina at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, and in Paediatric Retina at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London
Areas of Expertise
Visit Profile - Adult and paediatric retinal diseases
- Retinal detachments
- Macular holes
- Age Related Macular Degeneration
- Retinal vascular diseases
- Epiretinal Membranes
- Vitreous Haemorrhage
- Uveitis
- Inherited retinal disorders (IRD)
- Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)
- Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR)
- Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR)
- Adult and paediatric cataract surgery
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
- Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), General Medical Council, UK
- Fellowship in Medical Retina, Uveitis & Oncology at Moorfields Eye Hospital London, UK
- Fellowship in Surgical Retina at Moorfields Eye Hospital London, UK
- Fellowship in Paediatric Retina at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
- Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth)
- British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons (BEAVRS)
- European Society of Retina Specialists (EURETINA)
- American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS)
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
- British & Irish Paediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus Association (BIPOSA)
- Active involvement in retinal research
- Published peer-reviewed research on Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) and Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR)
- Research published in international ophthalmology journals
Dr. Ramzi Ghanem
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Medical Retina, Vitreoretinal and Cataract Surgery
Dr. Ramzi Ghanem is a Consultant Ophthalmologist with extensive experience in cataract surgery as well as medical and surgical retina including the full spectrum of vitreoretinal surgery, intravitreal drug injection and laser treatment.
Dr. Ramzi is a graduate of the University of Leipzig, Germany and completed his 2 doctoral thesis on anti-VEGF isomers in AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration) at the University of Leipzig and predictors for short term visual outcome after anti-VEGF therapy of CSME due to CRVO at the University of Bern, Switzerland. He has more than 20 years of experience in Germany, Switzerland and UAE.
He has researched extensively, conducted clinical trials, published and lectured on his areas of expertise. He has been a HAAD consultant and examiner for licensure in ophthalmology.
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