H34: Retinal vascular occlusions
H34.9: Retinal vascular occlusion, unspecified
The retina is a layer inside the eye. It contains a lot of sensory cells that can perceive light. There are sensory cells for colors and sensory cells for light and dark. The sensory cells pass the information on to the nerve cells in the optic nerve.
An artery supplies the retina with oxygen-rich blood and nutrients. A vein then transports the oxygen-poor blood from the retina back towards the heart.
In your case, an artery or vein in your eye has closed up.
When a blood vessel in the eye closes up, one’s vision is sometimes then worse than usual. Sometimes the eye concerned loses its vision entirely. There may also be no symptoms at all, however.
Blood vessels can close for different reasons. A blood clot can block the blood vessel, for example. Or fats and calcium may have been deposited in the blood vessel. This gradually makes the blood vessel narrower and it can sometimes close up entirely.
Patient Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not intended for self-diagnosis and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns about your health.
If you see an ICD diagnosis code (e.g., on a medical report), be aware that doctors may also include additional indicators to express diagnostic certainty. Only a healthcare professional can interpret these codes accurately in the context of your individual case.
For a complete understanding of your condition and what the diagnosis means for you, please speak directly with your doctor.