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Neovascular glaucoma

Disease
Neovascular glaucoma is always secondary to ocular ischaemia, typically conditions that result in retinal capillary non-perfusion and retinal hypoxia. The release of vasogenic factors stimulating the growth of new vessels in the fundus also promotes neovascularisation in the anterior segment of the eye.

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The most common causes are central retinal vein occlusion and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Other potential causes include occlusive disease of the carotid artery, leading to ocular ischaemic syndrome, central retinal artery occlusion, branch retinal vein occlusion, longstanding uveitis and retinal detachment, and intraocular tumours such as choroidal melanoma and retinoblastoma.

Symptoms

In the early stages of the disease process, symptoms may be conspicuous by their absence. As the condition becomes established and intraocular pressure rises, the patient may complain of poor vision, haloes around lights, a red eye, pain and photophobia.

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