Presentation, etiology and treatment outcome of neovascular glaucoma in Ekiti state, South Western Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Neovascular glaucoma (NVG), a form of secondary glaucoma has varying causes across geographical loca- tions. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the presentation, aetiology, and outcome of treatment of patients with NVG in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Method: A retrospective review of records of all cases of NVG seen over a 5year period was carried out. Demographic characteristics, presenting visual acuity and coexisting ocular and systemic conditions were noted. Data were analysed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Results: 29 eyes of patients with NVG were analysed. Most of the patients (89.70%) presented with visual acuity less than 3/60 in the affected eye. All patients except one were treated with anti-glaucoma medications while only 9(31%) consented to and received anti-vascular endothelial growth factor. No patient had improvement in visual acuity despite resolution of other symptoms at 12week follow up. Conclusion: NVG though not as common as other forms of glaucoma accounted for a large proportion of monocular blindness in the affected eyes at presentation. There is need for health promotion and education among our people on the need for early preventive eye check practices. Keywords: Neovascular glaucoma; retinal ischemia; rubeosis iridis; secondary glaucoma.