Neovascular glaucoma. Etiologic considerations.

A review of 208 patients with neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is presented. The most common primary etiologic associations included retinal venous obstructive disease (36.1%), diabetic retinopathy (32.2%), and carotid artery obstructive disease (12.9%). Systemic arterial hypertension was present in 51% and diabetes mellitus was noted in 46% of all patients. Among the 25 bilateral cases of NVG, 24 occurred in patients with diabetic retinopathy. Women comprised 65% of patients with NVG secondary to diabetes, and 57% of the venous obstruction group, while men accounted for 74% of cases in which NVG occurred secondary to carotid artery obstructive disease. Overall, 97% of eyes with NVG had a disease process that produced extensive retinal ischemia and preceded the onset of iris neovascularization. Patients with NVG, but without an obvious precipitating fundus condition, should be suspected of having severe carotid artery obstructive disease.