The Link Between Sleep Apnea and Retinal Vein Occlusion
Sleep is vital for overall health, but new research suggests it may also play a surprising role in protecting your vision. Recent studies are uncovering a connection between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO), a potentially sight-threatening condition that occurs when one of the veins that carries blood away from the retina becomes blocked, leading to retinal bleeding and vision problems.
Why Sleep Apnea May Be Harmful to Your Retina
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts due to the airway becoming blocked or collapsing during sleep. OSA causes drops in blood oxygen and induces spikes in blood pressure adding stress to the delicate vessels in the retina. Over time, this instability together with high blood pressure may contribute to the development of retinal vein occlusion.
What the Research Shows
A recent study published in Eye analyzed electronic health records and found that people with OSA had a higher risk of developing RVO. Specifically, patients with OSA were 28% more likely (for women) and 35% more likely (for men) to develop RVO. The risk was most pronounced among Hispanic/Latino individuals, followed by non-Hispanic White and Black patients.
These findings build on earlier research suggesting that reduced oxygen levels, increased inflammation, and vascular stress caused by sleep apnea may contribute to retinal damage.
For those already diagnosed with RVO, OSA was linked to more severe eye complications, like swelling of the macula, bleeding in the vitreous, and abnormal blood vessel growth, leading to treatments such as anti-VEGF injections or laser therapy.
It’s important to note that these studies show a strong association between sleep apnea and retinal vein occlusion, but they don’t prove that one directly causes the other. More research is needed to fully understand how sleep apnea impacts eye health.
Symptoms to Know
Understanding the warning signs of both sleep apnea and retinal vein occlusion is the first step in preserving your vision.
Sleep apnea:
● Loud snoring
● Pauses in breathing during sleep
● Morning headaches
● Daytime sleepiness
● Difficulty concentrating
Retinal vein occlusion
● Sudden blurry vision
● Dark spots or floaters
● Partial loss of vision
● Distorted vision in one eye
If you experience any of these eye symptoms, prompt evaluation by a retina specialist is recommended.
Consult with an Austin Retina Specialist
Austin Retina Associates treats a wide range of retinal conditions. Our experienced team of retina specialists in Austin are dedicated to improving your vision and quality of life.
Contact us at 800-252-8259, or request an appointment online at one of our retina treatment centers located in Austin and throughout Central Texas.
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