Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion Revealing Previously Undiagnosed Systemic Disease

Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) is a common cause of vision loss and frequently reflects an underlying systemic vascular disorder. Early systemic assessment is fundamental for preventing ocular and cardiovascular complications. This report describes the clinical case of a 61-year-old woman who presented with sudden, painless visual field loss in the left eye. Fundoscopic and angiographic findings confirmed superotemporal BRVO with macular edema. Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy was initiated, and referral to a primary care physician for systemic evaluation was requested. However, due to the absence of a standardized referral protocol, the patient did not undergo prompt assessment. One week after the initial ophthalmologic visit, she presented to the emergency department with a severe headache and was found to have a hypertensive crisis. This case focuses attention on how retinal vascular occlusion (RVO) can be the first manifestation of an undetected systemic hypertension. It also marks the gaps in current systemic screening protocols for RVO and the need for closer collaboration between ophthalmologists and internal medicine specialists. A comprehensive and multidisciplinary evaluation of BRVO is indispensable for uncovering systemic risk factors and guiding treatment. Timely ocular therapy combined with systemic management can prevent irreversible visual loss and systemic complications.