NEOVASCULAR GLAUCOMA - A STUDY AT A TERTIARY REFERRAL CARE CENTRE IN WESTERN INDIA

BHAGAT P.R.¹, AGRAWAL N.², BIDASARIA N.³, MANSURI M.N.^4
1M & J Western Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad-380 016, Gujarat, India.
²Aravind Eye Hospital, Coimbatore- 641 014, TN, India.
³Glaucoma Services, ESI Hospital, Sector 9 (A), Gurgaon-122 001, Haryana, India.
⁴M & J Western Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad-380 016, Gujarat, India.

Received : 12-11-2013     Accepted : 05-12-2013     Published : 28-12-2013
Volume : 2     Issue : 1       Pages : 8 - 13
World Res J Diabetes 2.1 (2013):8-13

<i>Introduction:</i> Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a secondary glaucoma resulting from anterior segment neovascularization following retinal hypoxia. It represents 3.9% of all glaucomas and is an important cause of irreversible blindness. <i>Aims of Study:</i> In cases of NVG, to study: 1. Demography in Western Indian population. 2. Clinical presentations. 3. Major causes. 4. Various treatment modalities. <i>Materials & Methods:</i> 52 eyes of 50 patients with NVG were studied during one year at M & J Western Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Ahmedabad. <i>Results:</i> 28% patients were between 50-59 years. Males outnumbered females by 2:1 ratio but more females were affected in 60-69 years group. 34.62% eyes presented with an IOP in the range 30-39 mm Hg. Most patients presented quite late with 38.46% having no perception of light. Gonioscopy revealed closed angles in 40.38%. Examination was not possible in 32.39% due to severe corneal oedema. Most frequent cause of NVG was diabetic retinopathy. Others were vascular occlusions, retinal detachment, trauma, vitreous haemorrhage, uveitis, choroidal metastasis. Most frequent treatment modality used was Anterior Retinal Cryopexy (ARC) with cyclocryotherapy in 40.38%. Medical treatment alone was used in 21.15% and ARC alone in 19.23%. 3.85% eyes into phthisis while 2 were undertaken for surgery. No change in visual status was noted except in one eye in which primary Ahmed valve implant was performed. <i>Conclusion:</i> NVG is a potentially blinding disease which can be prevented in atleast some cases by timely diagnosis and intervention.