Iris neovascular tufts are biomicroscopic capillary outgrowths from the pupillary margins. Iris tufts have been reported to occur in the elderly, in diabetes patients, and in myotonic dystrophy patients. Three cases have also been described in association with retinal vein occlusion. This paper describes a patient with unilateral acute retinal branch vein occlusion who had bilateral iris neovascular tufts. The bilaterality of this elderly patient's tufts suggested an underlying acquired systemic disorder. The patient denied medical illness, except for hypertension. Medical evaluation disclosed an insulin tolerance test diagnostic of diabetes, although a glucose tolerance test was not markedly abnormal. Iris tufts appeared to be associated with abnormal insulin secretion. Their occurrence with branch vein occlusion may be coincidental.
虹膜新生血管丛是从瞳孔边缘长出的生物显微镜下可见的毛细血管。据报道，虹膜丛见于老年人、糖尿病患者和强直性肌营养不良患者。也有3例与视网膜静脉阻塞相关的病例报道。本文描述了1例单侧急性视网膜分支静脉阻塞患者，其双侧出现虹膜新生血管丛。该老年患者虹膜丛的双侧性提示存在潜在的后天性全身性疾病。患者否认有除高血压之外的其他疾病。医学评估显示胰岛素耐量试验诊断为糖尿病，尽管葡萄糖耐量试验并无明显异常。虹膜丛似乎与胰岛素分泌异常有关。它们与分支静脉阻塞同时出现可能是巧合。
