Neovascular Glaucoma
What Is Neovascular Glaucoma?
Neovascular glaucoma is a type of secondary glaucoma, meaning that it is caused by something else. This type of glaucoma is a type of angle-closure glaucoma. It is most commonly linked to proliferative diabetic retinopathy and central retinal vein occlusion. It may also be caused by narrowing of the carotid artery and other factors which result in ischemia, a reduction in blood flow to the retina.
New blood vessels (known as neovascularization) are formed in the angle of the eye and block drainage of eye fluid through the trabecular meshwork. These new blood vessels can also be formed in the iris, optic nerve and retina.
Anyone with poor blood flow to the eyes is at risk for neovascular glaucoma. That is why diabetics are at particularly high risk, since diabetes is associated with reduced blood flow to many parts of the body, including the eyes. If you are a diabetic, particularly if you have had the disease for 10 or more years, you should have a dilated eye exam annually.
Blood vessels in the eye provide nourishment and eliminate waste. When neovascularization occurs over the iris or the trabecular meshwork, it can totally block the drainage of fluid from the eye. This will result in increased eye pressure and cause damage to the optic nerve.
The neovascular vessels are also weak. They can leak and bleed into the eye, causing a hyphema.
Treatment of Neovascular Glaucoma
Select the following link to learn more about treatment of neovascular glaucoma:
Glaucoma Specialists at Kadrmas Eye Care New England
Meet our ophthalmologists who specialize in the treatment of glaucoma:
