RVO Risk Factors: What Increases Your Chance of Retinal Vein Occlusion

When a vein in your retina gets blocked, it’s called retinal vein occlusion, a sudden blockage in the blood vessel that drains blood from the retina, often leading to vision loss. This isn’t just an eye issue—it’s a warning sign your whole circulatory system is under stress. Also known as RVO, a common cause of vision loss in people over 50, often linked to underlying vascular disease, it doesn’t come out of nowhere. It’s the result of years of hidden strain on your blood vessels.

The biggest high blood pressure, a major contributor to RVO, as it damages the walls of retinal veins over time is the #1 driver. Nearly 70% of people with RVO have it. diabetes, a condition that weakens blood vessels and makes them more prone to clots and leaks is right behind it. If your blood sugar’s been out of control for years, your retinal veins are paying the price. And if you’ve got blood clotting disorders, conditions that make your blood thicker or more likely to clot, increasing the chance of a vein blockage, your risk jumps even higher. These aren’t just medical terms—they’re real, measurable conditions that show up in routine blood work and eye exams.

It’s not just about age. While RVO is more common after 50, younger people with untreated high blood pressure, smoking habits, or obesity are catching up fast. Glaucoma, high cholesterol, and even sleep apnea play roles too. You might not feel anything until your vision blurs or darkens—sometimes suddenly. That’s why knowing your numbers matters. A simple eye check can spot early signs before the damage is permanent.

What you’ll find in these articles isn’t just theory. Real stories. Real data. From how anticoagulation safety ties into preventing clots that cause RVO, to why diabetes medication choices matter for your eyes, to how drug interactions can accidentally raise your risk. You’ll see how pharmacogenetic testing might help personalize your treatment, how generic drug prices affect long-term medication access, and why medication-induced brain fog can mask symptoms you need to act on. This isn’t about fear—it’s about awareness. And action.