Clinical Features of Neovascular Glaucoma

Abstract

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics of neovascular glaucoma.

Methods: A cross-sectional and retrospective study was carried out with 26 eyes diagnosed with neovascular glaucoma at the Villa Clara Ophthalmologic Center, from May 1^st to November 30^st, 2023.

Results: The average age of the studied patients was 62.7 years. Males were more affected than females (69.2%). 65.4 % of the eyes had light preception visual acuity or poor light perception and a average intraocular pressure of 42.3 mmHg (95 % CI; 39.4-45.3 mmHg) at diagnosis. Central retinal vein occlusion and proliferative diabetic retinopathy were the most commonly encountered ocular diseases in patients with neovascular glaucoma (46.2 % and 19.2 %, respectively). Angle neovascularization without associated iris neovascularization was detected at diagnosis in 15.4 % (95 % CI; 14.6-16.2 %) of cases. Intravitreal antiangiogenics combined with retinal panphotocoagulation was performed in 30.7 % of cases.

Conclusions: Visual function is compromised in a considerable number of patients with neovascular glaucoma, so the clinical approach should be directed towards its prevention. Gonioscopy should always be considered in the follow-up of patients at risk.