Central retinal vein occlusion (CVO) is characterized by diffuse retinal hemorrhages in all quadrants of the retina, and dilated and tortuous retinal veins.
The clinical appearance may vary from a few scattered retinal hemorrhages with a few cotton-wool spots to very extensive retinal hemorrhages occurring throughout the fundus.
The two major complications associated with CVO are persistent macular edema, and neovascular glaucoma secondary to iris neovascularization.