Retinal Vein Occlusion
(central & branch)

information on diet, nutrition, & self-help

A retinal vein occlusion occurs when the circulation of a retinal vein becomes obstructed by an adjacent blood vessel. This results in the stoppage of blood flow, causing hemorrhages in the retina. The retinal veins are the small "pipes" in the retina that drain blood out of the retina, back to the heart. The veins drain the blood out of the eye, while the retinal arteries are the small pipes that deliver the blood (from the heart) to the retina.

Certain nutrients such as lutein, zeaxanthin, gingko biloba, omega-3 fatty acids, bilberry and a number of other vitamins & enzymes may help preserve vision for those who are at risk of or have had experienced a Retinal Vein Occlusion.
Some research indicates that daily use of Microcurrent Stimulation may help preserve vision as well.
See self help tips

Retinal vein occlusion is second only to diabetic retinopathy as a cause of visual loss due to retinal vascular disease. There are two forms of retinal vein occlusion, branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). While there are similarities in the pathogenesis and clinical nature of these two events, each has unique etiologies, differential diagnosis, management and prognosis.

Advanced Eye and Vision Support Formula

Who is at Risk?
Branch retinal vein occlusions are by far the most common cause of retinal vascular occlusive disease. Males and females are affected equally. Most occlusions occur after age 50, although younger patients are sometimes seen with this disorder (in this age group it is often called papillophlebitis). The highest rate of occurrence is in individuals in their 60's and 70's. The risk factors for this disorder are similar to those for vascular occlusive disease elsewhere in the body such as stroke and coronary artery disease.

A branch retinal vein occlusion is essentially a blockage of the portion of the eye's circulation that drains the retina of blood.

Symptoms

Sudden onset
Blurred or missing area of vision (if a branch vein is involved)
Severe loss of central vision (if a central vein is involved)

Nutritional Supplements for central vein occlusion

These are the most important supplements and recommendations.

Shopping Tips

On a tight budget?

Here's our single most important recommendation:
Doctor's Choice: Advanced Eye and Vision Support Formula - Dr. Grossman's Advanced Eye & Vision (whole food) Support Formula - 60 vcaps per bottle Promotes clear vision and healthy eyes, including macula, retina and lens, supports healthy eye growth, and rejuvenation, and supports the body's natural detoxification processes with targeted, quality antioxidants for vision.

Essential: Advanced Eye and Vision Support Formula - Dr. Grossman's Advanced Eye & Vision (whole food) Support Formula - 60 vcaps per bottle Promotes clear vision and healthy eyes, including macula, retina and lens, supports healthy eye growth, and rejuvenation, and supports the body's natural detoxification processes with targeted, quality antioxidants for vision.

Essential: MacuHealth with LMZ - 90 capsules (3 mo. supply) with10mg of meso-zeanthin per capsule. Meso-zeanthin is an essential antioxidant found in the macula (center of the retina).

Essential: Retinal Support 2 oz - Retinal Support is based on classic Kidney & Spleen Chinese medicine formulas to help support the retina by building blood, improving circulation, eliminating dampness, & strengthening overall energy.upport based on classic Kidney & Spleen Chinese medicine formulas to help support the retina by building blood, improving circulation, eliminating dampness, & strengthening overall energy.

Essential: Carlsons Super Omega-3 Gems 1000 mg 130 softgels / 250 softgels - Super Omega-3 Gems 1000 mg 130 softgels / 250 softgels - Fish body oil is the only major source of the polyunsaturated Omega 3's EPA and DHA

Very Important: Vital Eyes Complete - Vital Eyes Complete 60 capsules

Important: Microcurrent Stimulation 100ile Purchase Option - Microcurrent Stimulation helps stimulate energy production (ATP) in the retina, improve circulation & reduce waste build-up.

Helpful: Pure Focus - Pure Focus is a liquid based formula absorbed sublingually (under the tongue) for vision health.

Helpful: Renewal Greens 10.6 oz - Comprehensive high quality all organic green drink for overall health. Includes organic vegetable blend, wheat grass blend and digestive enzymes

Causes

Possible causes or contributing factors include the following:

Aging, highest rate of occurance in people in their 60s and 70s
High blood pressure, hypertension
High cholesterol
Smoking
Glaucoma, diabetes, and other conditions are risk factors
Cardiovascular disease

Conventional Treatment

Vein occlusion is diagnosed by examining the retina with an ophthalmoscope. Fluorescein angiography may be performed in some cases to study the circulation of the retina and to determine the extent of macular edema or swelling.

Following a vein occlusion, the primary concern is to treat the secondary complications. If areas of the retina are oxygen-deprived, LASER may be used to prevent growth of delicate vessels that could break, bleed or cause glaucoma.

Self Help

Since we consider most eye conditions to be a reflection of the health of the whole body, lifestyle choices and diet can play a major factor in getting and maintaining good vision. Below are some recommendations:

Diet & Nutrition

Supplement your diet with a good multivitamin such as Dr. Grossman's Whole Food Multivitamin and/or a good green drink such as Renewal Greens.
The Vision Diet - recommended in Natural Eye Care: An Encyclopedia on CD, authored by Marc Grossman, O.D., L.Ac. and Michael Edson, MS, L.Ac. This CD covers 29 major eye conditions with specific nutrient, diet, exercise and juicing instructions by eye condition, plus much more.
Daily juicing of vegetables and fruits (preferably organic). Our suggested recipe for this condition is some combination of the following: ginger, garlic, asparagus, leeks, spinach, Jerusalem artichokes, parsley, pumpkin, beets, celery, cabbage, carrots, chlorophyll, raspberries (not too much fruit). See more info on juicing..
Reduce or eliminate drinking caffeine and sodas
Avoid aspartame (labeled diet foods) and man made fats (corn oil and safflower oil, trans fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils including canola oil, and especially margarines).
Eliminate deep fat fried foods
Avoid monosodium glutanate (MSG) used as a flavor enhancer which is a potential retinal toxin (Inv Oph 1996; 37: 1618-24)
Avoid fat blockers like Olestra which impair the absorption of carotenoids (Argus, August 1996;19:18:July 1996;19:22). Eating greater amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol also appear to increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
Limit your alcohol consumption to 1 glass of red wine at night. Alcohol interferes with liver functions, reducing protective glutathione levels (Alcohol 1993;10;469-75).

Lifestyle & General Health

Eliminate smoking. Smoking among other things produces cyanide, a retinal toxin.
Limit the amount of medications (both prescription and non-prescription as much as possible. Make sure to work closely with your doctor.
Exercise daily - do at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise daily. Walking and swimming are two excellent forms of exercise.
Manage your emotional health, which is very important in maintaining physical health. Fear (fear of failure, responsibility, of being alone, of death, etc.) is at the root of many of life's problems, and is a major factor in many diseases. Take up the practice of meditation, yoga, tai chi, walks in the woods or prayer on a daily basis.

Retinal Vein Occlusion (central & branch)