Dr Zack Oakey, MD

09/03/2026

What is Irvine-Gass syndrome?

09/03/2026

Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO) is a common vascular disorder of the retina characterized by the blockage of a smaller branch of the retinal vein network. It occurs primarily due to mechanical compression at an arteriovenous crossing, where a stiffened, atherosclerotic retinal arteriole compresses an underlying thin-walled venule sharing the same adventitial sheath. This compression disrupts laminar blood flow, promotes endothelial damage, and leads to thrombus formation. Major systemic risk factors include chronic hypertension, advancing age, cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus. Once the branch vein is occluded, retrograde intravascular pressure spikes, triggering widespread retinal hemorrhages, flame-shaped bleeds, and localized tissue ischemia downstream.

The primary driver of vision loss following BRVO is macular edema, which develops when ischemic retinal tissue responds to oxygen deprivation by upregulating Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). Excess VEGF increases microvascular permeability, causing fluid and proteins to leak into the macula and distort central vision. Anti-VEGF therapy (such as ranibizumab, aflibercept, or bevacizumab) has become the first-line standard of care; delivered via routine intravitreal injections, these agents bind to and neutralize excess VEGF molecules. By sealing leaky vessels, anti-VEGF injections rapidly resolve macular swelling, prevent abnormal neovascularization, and significantly improve or stabilize visual acuity over time.

09/03/2026

which multivitamin is best for macular degeneration?

09/03/2026

What’s the diagnosis?

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

what’s it like to have surgery for floaters?

09/01/2026

Why is the vision still wavy after a retinal detachment has been repaired?

09/01/2026

Did a GLP medicine cause bleeding in my eye?

Part 3

09/01/2026

Let’s cover Retinitis Pigmentosa

Part 3

08/31/2026

Let’s cover Retinitis Pigmentosa

Part 2