The mechanism and therapeutic strategies for neovascular glaucoma secondary to diabetic retinopathy

Yizhen Tang; Yan Shi; Zhigang Fan

doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1102361

The mechanism and therapeutic strategies for neovascular glaucoma secondary to diabetic retinopathy

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Jan 23:14:1102361. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1102361. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Yizhen Tang^{1

2}, Yan Shi^{1

2}, Zhigang Fan^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
² Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Abstract

Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a devastating secondary glaucoma characterized by the appearance of neovascular over the iris and the proliferation of fibrovascular tissue in the anterior chamber angle. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is one of the leading causes of NVG. Currently increasing diabetes population drive the prevalence rate of NVG into a fast-rising lane. The pathogenesis underlying NVG makes it refractory to routine management for other types of glaucoma in clinical practice. The combination of panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections, anti-glaucoma drugs, surgical intervention as well as blood glucose control is needed. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment in time are crucial in halting the neovascularization process and preserving vision. This review provides an overview of NVG secondary to diabetic retinopathy (DR), including the epidemiology, pathogenesis and management, so as to provide a better understanding as well as potential therapeutic strategies for future treatment.

Keywords: diabetic retinopathy; epidemiology; management; neovascular glaucoma; pathogenesis.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Diabetes Mellitus* / therapy
Diabetic Retinopathy* / epidemiology
Diabetic Retinopathy* / etiology
Diabetic Retinopathy* / therapy
Glaucoma, Neovascular* / epidemiology
Glaucoma, Neovascular* / etiology
Glaucoma, Neovascular* / therapy
Humans
Laser Coagulation
Retina
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Substances

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Grants and funding

The study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.82171050 and Grant No.82201174) and the authors declared no conflict of interest.