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Neovascular glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that damage the nerve at the back of the eye (optic nerve), resulting in loss of eyesight, especially peripheral (side) vision. Neovascular glaucoma is a type of severe glaucoma in which blood vessels in the iris block the normal drainage of fluid out of the eye, causing increased pressure in the eye that eventually damages the optic nerve.

Neovascular glaucoma often causes pain and redness in the eye. It most often develops in people who have poorly controlled diabetes, but it also occurs in association with other vascular diseases, such as high blood pressure (hypertension).

Treatment of neovascular glaucoma may require removal of the blocked blood vessels and medications to reduce the pressure in the eye.

Author Jeannette Curtis
Author Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer Patrice Burgess, MD
- Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD
- Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD
- Family Medicine
Last Updated May 25, 2007

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 25, 2007
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