Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
07:23
Optimization of the Retinal Vein Occlusion Mouse Model to Limit Variability
Published on: August 6, 2021
Retinal vein occlusion in high altitude
Atul Gupta1, Surinderpal Singh, Tejinder Singh Ahluwalia
1General Hospital, Ladakh, India. drguptatul@gmail.com
High Altitude Medicine & Biology
|December 31, 2011
Summary
High altitude exposure can lead to retinal vein occlusion (RVO), a type of eye condition. Prompt descent to lower altitudes resulted in complete recovery for all reported cases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Altitude Medicine
- Vascular Thrombosis
Background:
- High altitude environments are known risk factors for thrombotic events in individuals not acclimatized.
- Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a serious vascular condition affecting the eye's circulation.
Observation:
- Three cases of RVO (two central RVO, one branch RVO) occurred in individuals residing at high altitudes (3353m to 6309m).
- Onset varied from two days to 90 days after arrival at high altitude.
- One patient experienced recurrent RVO in the contralateral eye upon re-exposure to high altitude.
Findings:
- All patients were young adults without pre-existing systemic diseases.
- Symptoms of RVO developed during exposure to high altitude.
- Complete visual recovery was observed following descent to lower altitudes.
Implications:
- High altitude may precipitate RVO in susceptible individuals, even without systemic risk factors.
- Prompt medical evaluation and descent are crucial for managing high-altitude-induced RVO.
- Further research is needed to understand the specific mechanisms linking high altitude and RVO.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category, whereas...
01:27Diabetic Retinopathy
DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...