Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

07:23
Optimization of the Retinal Vein Occlusion Mouse Model to Limit Variability
Published on: August 6, 2021
2.7K
Retinal Vein Occlusion after COVID-19 Vaccination-A Review
Ho-Man Leung1, Sunny Chi-Lik Au2
1Hospital Authority, Ma Tau Wai 999077, Hong Kong.
Vaccines
|August 26, 2023
Summary
Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) after COVID-19 vaccination is rare, with most patients responding well to treatment. While causality is unclear, vaccination benefits likely outweigh risks for ophthalmic health.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Vaccinology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a sight-threatening condition.
- Reports of RVO following COVID-19 vaccination have raised concerns about ophthalmic health.
- Understanding the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and RVO is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence on retinal vein occlusion occurring after COVID-19 vaccination.
- To analyze reported cases, identify risk factors, and assess treatment outcomes.
- To discuss potential mechanisms and the overall risk-benefit profile of vaccination.
Main Methods:
- A literature search was conducted on PubMed for articles published up to January 2023.
- Twenty-nine relevant articles reporting cases of RVO post-COVID-19 vaccination were selected.
- Data on patient demographics, vaccine types, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes were extracted and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Most RVO cases occurred shortly after vaccination with AstraZeneca and BNT vaccines.
- Common vascular risk factors like diabetes and hypertension were noted.
- Patients generally responded well to standard treatment, with excellent short-term visual prognosis, especially without comorbidities.
- Causality remains undetermined due to study limitations and confounding factors.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of RVO post-COVID-19 vaccination is very low, and benefits likely outweigh risks.
- Optimizing comorbidities and post-vaccination monitoring are key for safe vaccination.
- Further research is needed to clarify the long-term ophthalmic impact of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
Related Concept Videos
Glaucoma: 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...
Open 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...
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
Diabetic 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...

