Predictors of Neovascular Glaucoma in Central Retinal Vein Occlusion.

PURPOSE

To determine the risk factors for development of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) in patients after an acute central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Review of medical records of 646 patients with a diagnosis of CRVO between 2013 and 2017 at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

(1) CRVO onset to presentation <90 days; (2) absence of anterior segment neovascularization on presentation; (3) no intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injection before presentation. Patients meeting inclusion criteria were screened for potential risk factors for development of NVG. Risk of developing NVG was assessed with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Thirteen of 98 patients (13%) who met inclusion criteria developed NVG. The mean adjusted time to NVG diagnosis from onset of CRVO-related symptoms was 212 days. Patients presenting with a worse initial visual acuity (P = .034), a relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) (P = .002), or a history of systemic hypertension (P = .026) had an increased risk of NVG compared to those who did not. Age, body mass index, history of glaucoma, history of diabetes, and central retinal thickness were not significantly associated with development of NVG.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk factors for NVG development included history of systemic hypertension, worse visual acuity on presentation, and RAPD on presentation. Patients presenting with these findings should be followed at closer intervals and informed of the greater risk for neovascularization. Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy delayed but did not prevent NVG.