Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy

DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment

In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Signalling by senescent melanocytes hyperactivates hair growth.

Nature·2023

Same author

Orbital metastases.

Optometry (St. Louis, Mo.)·2010

Same author

On the frontline: what an optometrist needs to know about myasthenia gravis.

Optometry (St. Louis, Mo.)·2010

Same author

Palinopsia.

Optometry (St. Louis, Mo.)·2010

Same author

Functional vision loss: a diagnosis of exclusion.

Optometry (St. Louis, Mo.)·2007

Same author

Sectoranopia: a stroke in the lateral geniculate nucleus or optic radiations?

Optometry (St. Louis, Mo.)·2007

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Application of Optical Coherence Tomography to a Mouse Model of Retinopathy

Application of Optical Coherence Tomography to a Mouse Model of Retinopathy

Published on: January 12, 2022

Peripheral retinal neovascularization in talc retinopathy.

Kevin H Tran¹, Pauline F Ilsen

¹West Los Angeles VA Health Care Center, Southern California College of Optometry, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA.

Optometry (St. Louis, Mo.)

|July 31, 2007

Summary

Peripheral retinal neovascularization, a rare complication in intravenous drug abusers, can lead to vision loss. This case highlights the importance of thorough retinal examinations in this population to identify and treat this condition early.

More Related Videos

Ex Vivo OCT-Based Multimodal Imaging of Human Donor Eyes for Research into Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Ex Vivo OCT-Based Multimodal Imaging of Human Donor Eyes for Research into Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Published on: May 26, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Application of Optical Coherence Tomography to a Mouse Model of Retinopathy

Application of Optical Coherence Tomography to a Mouse Model of Retinopathy

Published on: January 12, 2022

Ex Vivo OCT-Based Multimodal Imaging of Human Donor Eyes for Research into Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Ex Vivo OCT-Based Multimodal Imaging of Human Donor Eyes for Research into Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Published on: May 26, 2023

Area of Science:

Ophthalmology
Toxicology
Cardiology

Background:

Peripheral retinal neovascularization is associated with various systemic and ocular diseases.
Intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs) are at increased risk for ocular complications, infections, and cardiovascular diseases.
This case report focuses on a chronic heroin and cocaine abuser presenting with bilateral peripheral retinal neovascularization.

Observation:

A patient with a 20-year history of IV drug abuse presented with macular deposits, retinal hemorrhages, and neovascularization of the disc.
Fundus examination revealed specific findings including pinpoint white deposits, engorged vascular fronds, and intraretinal hemorrhage.
Fluorescein angiography was performed, and the patient was screened for common systemic diseases like diabetes, sarcoidosis, and sickle cell disease.

Findings:

No systemic disease was identified as the cause of the peripheral retinal neovascularization.
The neovascularization was concluded to be a result of vascular occlusion secondary to heroin and cocaine abuse.
Retinal vascular emboli, such as talc, are known complications in IVDAs, but typically pose minimal threat to vision.

Implications:

Careful retinal examination is crucial for IVDAs to detect peripheral retinal neovascularization.
Differential diagnosis for peripheral retinal neovascularization in IVDAs should include other conditions like sickle cell retinopathy and diabetic retinopathy.
Pan-retinal photocoagulation is the recommended treatment for peripheral retinal neovascularization.