Optic disk neovascularization associated with chronic uveitis.

Disk neovascularization associated with chronic uvetitis occurred in five patients. The uveitis was most frequently diagnosed as chronic cyclitis, with a marked inflammatory cell response in the vitreous body. Using direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy, slit-lamp biomicroscopy with the Goldmann contact lens, perimetry, and fluorescein angiography and angioscopy, we found no areas of vascular occlusion or nonperfusion. Inflammation probably produced chemical mediators capable of traveling to the optic disk and inducing neovascular proliferation, in the absence of retinal vascular occlusion.