Macular Edema Secondary to Retinal Vein Occlusion and Anti-VEGF Injections

How modern drug injections, specifically Anti-VEGF, help dry up fluid leakage in the eye caused by retinal vein occlusions and restore visual acuity with Dr. Mahmoud Hassan.

Macular Edema Associated with Vein Occlusion: Understanding the Problem and Modern Treatment Options

Retinal vein occlusion is a serious medical condition that can significantly affect visual acuity, especially when accompanied by macular edema. This condition, characterized by the accumulation of fluid and leakage in the macula – the most sensitive part of the retina responsible for detailed central vision – can lead to blurred vision, wavy lines, and difficulty reading and recognizing faces. Fortunately, recent years have witnessed tremendous advances in treatment methods, and modern injections, known as Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (Anti-VEGF) medications, have become the cornerstone in restoring vision for patients affected by this condition.

What is Retinal Vein Occlusion and How Does it Affect the Macula?

Retinal vein occlusion occurs when one of the veins that transport blood from the retina to the heart becomes blocked, whether in the central retinal vein or one of its branches. This occlusion impedes blood drainage and blood vessels, leading to increased pressure within the retinal blood vessels. As a result, blood vessels begin to leak, and fluids and proteins accumulate in the retinal layers, especially in the macula area, causing what is known as macular edema. At Al Mashreq Eye Center, we place special emphasis on accurately diagnosing these conditions using the latest technologies.

Common symptoms of macular edema associated with vein occlusion include:

• Blurry or distorted central vision.
• Seeing wavy lines or shapes (Metamorphopsia).
• Difficulty reading or recognizing fine details.
• Possible blind spots in the field of vision.

The Role of Anti-VEGF Injections in Treating Macular Edema

Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (Anti-VEGF) medications are considered a true revolution in the treatment of macular edema resulting from retinal vein occlusion. This factor (VEGF) stimulates the growth of abnormal blood vessels and increases their permeability, leading to leakage and edema formation. Anti-VEGF medications block this factor, thereby reducing leakage, drying up fluid, and gradually improving visual acuity.

Prominent medications in this category include:

• Eylea: It is one of the effective treatment options that have proven their worth in many clinical studies. It features a mechanism of action that targets vascular endothelial growth factor to reduce retinal edema. Eylea is one of the medications available to us to provide the best patient care.
• Vabysmo: This medication represents a further development, as it targets not only vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) but also vascular endothelial growth factor-B (VEGF-B), providing a dual mechanism of action that may be beneficial in some cases. Vabysmo offers an advanced treatment option.
• Other medications such as Lucentis and Avastin (in some cases and under strict medical supervision).

Intravitreal Injection Treatment Protocol

Anti-VEGF injections are performed into the vitreous humor of the eye (Intravitreal Injection) in a completely sterile environment, and it is usually a quick and relatively painless procedure. The eye is cleaned with an antiseptic, then the medication is precisely injected into the vitreous humor using a very fine needle. The patient may feel some slight pressure during the injection.

What to expect after the injection?

• You may notice some temporary changes in vision, such as seeing some floaters or feeling some redness.
• The condition usually requires a series of periodic injections, with the number and frequency of injections determined based on the patient's response and follow-up assessments.
• Regular follow-up using advanced imaging techniques such as OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) is essential to assess the extent of the response and determine the need for additional injections.

It is worth noting that the price of an

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