What is retinal vessel occlusion?
In short
- A blocked artery or vein at the back of the eye. Sudden, painless loss or blurring of sight in one eye, most often after 60 and linked to blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and smoking.
- Sudden painless blurring or loss of sight in one eye, or a dark area in part of the vision.
- Sudden loss of sight in one eye needs same-day assessment at eye casualty, A&E, your GP or through 111.
Also called: Eye stroke, Retinal vein occlusion, Retinal artery occlusion
- Part of the eye
- Blood vessels of the retina
- Group
- Retina & sight loss
- Vision functions involved
- Visual field, Contrast and detail
- Main source
- RNIB
The retina is fed by small arteries and drained by small veins. Either can become blocked. A vein occlusion is usually a blood clot in the vein, often where a hardened artery presses on it. An artery occlusion is usually a piece of fatty plaque which has broken away from a larger artery and lodged in the retina. Both are painless and usually sudden, and usually affect one eye at a time. The risk factors are the same as for heart disease and stroke: age over 60, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, clotting disorders, glaucoma, smoking and obesity.
Retina
The light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Glossary entry
How retinal vessel occlusion can affect day-to-day life
You may recognise some of these situations, or none of them. The point is to find help with the things you want to do.
A dark patch in one eye
Part of the view in one eye is missing, which affects reading and judging distance.
Same-day assessment first. Afterwards, a low-vision service can help with reading and the ECLO with practical support.
Living with one good eye
Depth judgement and the view on the affected side are reduced at first.
The brain adapts over months. Take more time on stairs and in crowds, and look after the good eye with regular checks.
Changes you may notice
- Sudden painless blurring or loss of sight in one eye, or a dark area in part of the vision.
- Sometimes a brief blackout in one eye beforehand, which also needs urgent assessment.
Everyone is different. Symptoms on their own cannot identify a condition.
What to do about a new or sudden changeAssessment and care
Sudden loss of sight in one eye needs same-day assessment at eye casualty, A&E, your GP or through 111. The eye team confirms which vessel is blocked with an examination and scans. A vein occlusion is often treated with injections into the eye or laser to manage the swelling and new vessels which follow. An artery occlusion has few eye treatments, so the priority is finding and treating the cause to protect the other eye and the rest of your body.
After the occlusion
A small number of people have no risk factor found. For everyone else, the follow-up with the GP is as important as the eye clinic, because the same narrowing which blocked a retinal vessel can block vessels in the heart or brain.
How vision is affected
These topics explain the parts of vision involved. They do not predict your sight, diagnose anything or show the condition itself.
Visual field
Finding a face and noticing the edge of a step make different demands on sight. One uses the centre of your view. The other uses the edges.
Open the visual field labContrast and detail
Sharp edges only help when they stand out from the background. Contrast, print size and blur each change how easy a task is.
Open the contrast and detail labEveryday support
Treating the risk factors matters as much as the eye treatment: blood pressure and cholesterol checks with your GP, good diabetes control, stopping smoking, a healthy diet, less alcohol, 150 minutes of moderate activity a week and a healthy weight. Ask about registration and a low-vision assessment if the sight loss is lasting, and ask the ECLO about support.
Driving: you must tell DVLA about an eye condition which affects both eyes, or your only seeing eye. Driving and your eyesight
Common questions
Is a retinal vessel occlusion an eye stroke?
Many people call it that. A retinal artery occlusion in particular has the same causes as a stroke, so the eye team and GP will check your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and heart, and may arrange urgent tests.
Can the other eye be affected?
Usually one eye is affected at a time. Treating the risk factors reduces the chance of a further occlusion in either eye, and of a stroke or heart attack.
Can I still drive?
It depends on the sight you have left and your visual field. You must tell DVLA if the problem affects both eyes or your only seeing eye. The driving guide explains the standards.
A question to take to your appointment
Which vessel was blocked, what caused it, what treatment helps my eye, and which checks do I need for my heart and blood vessels?Prepare your appointment checklist
Sources and review status
- Written by
- The Omnirx.io team, from the sources above
- Sources checked
- Page updated
- Next review due
- Clinical review
- Not yet. No clinician has endorsed this page.
- Reading level
- About 19 words a sentence, 271 words of guidance
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Cite this page
Glanced (2026) Retinal vessel occlusion: what the name means, care and support. Omnirx.io team for Medstack Ltd. Available at: https://www.glanced.co.uk/condition/retinal-vessel-occlusion/ (Accessed: ). Source checked 4 October 2026.
Educational information. Follow the advice of your own eye-care team.