The
central retinal vein is the venous equivalent of the
central retinal artery and, like that blood vessel, it can suffer from
occlusion (
central retinal vein occlusion, also
CRVO), similar to that seen in
ocular ischemic syndrome. Since the central retinal artery and vein are the sole source of blood supply and drainage for the
retina, such occlusion can lead to severe damage to the retina and blindness, due to
ischemia (restriction in blood supply) and
edema (swelling).