Neovascular glaucoma: etiology, diagnosis and prognosis

Semin Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;24(2):113-21. doi: 10.1080/08820530902800801.

Abstract

Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a severe form of glaucoma with devastating visual outcome attributed to new blood vessels obstructing aqueous humor outflow, usually secondary to widespread posterior segment ischemia. Invasion of the anterior chamber by a fibrovascular membrane initially obstructs aqueous outflow in an open-angle fashion and later contracts to produce secondary synechial angle-closure glaucoma. The full blown picture of NVG is characterized by iris neovascularization, a closed anterior chamber angle, and extremely high intraocular pressure (IOP) with severe ocular pain and usually poor vision.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Eye / blood supply
  • Glaucoma, Neovascular / diagnosis*
  • Glaucoma, Neovascular / etiology*
  • Glaucoma, Neovascular / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Iris / blood supply
  • Ischemia / complications
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / etiology
  • Prognosis
  • Retinal Diseases / complications
  • Vascular Diseases / complications