OBJECTIVES: Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is the most common retinal vascular disorder with the potential for significant vision-related morbidity. The societal costs associated with CRVO are little known. Only a few studies reports on the burden of retinal vein occlusion or the resource use and cost of Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO). No specific burden of illness study is available that describes the situation in France. The purpose of the current study was to create a model that enables study of the societal costs of CRVO in France. The perspective of the model was prepared from a societal perspective.  METHODS: The input for health care utilisation input, were derived from a client survey conducted among French clinical experts in ophthalmology. An incidence-based model was constructed, which included the following parameters: direct and indirect costs, including treatment with drugs, non-drug treatments (e.g., grid laser photocoagulation and pan retinal photocoagulation), monitoring of the disease, adverse events, lost productivity, transportation and the cost of blindness.  RESULTS: In France the incidence of people suffering from CRVO was estimated to 10,471 (2011). The average annual contribution from each patient to the overall cost of CRVO was calculated to 11,434€. The yearly direct and indirect costs were estimated to app. 120mill Euros. The contributing factors driving the cost of CRVO, in France, are, cost of blindness 29%, drug treatment cost 26%, cost of adverse events 25% and cost from monitoring 14%.  CONCLUSIONS: Despite CRVO being a uncommon disease, the annual costs to the French society, based on the incidence of CRVO, are substantial. The cost of blindness account for 26% of the total annual costs indicating that there is a potential for reducing those costs with improved treatment options in CRVO.