[Neovascular Glaucomas - Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prophylaxis]

Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a severe potentially blinding disease, which represents one of the most common types of secondary glaucomas. The majority of cases are caused by ischemic retinal conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, central retinal vein occlusion or ocular ischemic syndrome. If appropriately diagnosed and treated, ideally the development of NVG can be prevented. Since treatment gets increasingly challenging as the disease progresses, early diagnosis is of utmost importance. In this review pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis are discussed extensively. A focus is put on the consecutive stages through which the disease progresses and how to diagnose and differentiate them. Ultimately a stage adapted therapy approach is detailed, consisting of the three blocks: 1. treatment of the underlying disease/retinal ischemia, 2. adjunctive medical therapy (anti-VEGF) and 3. therapy of the elevated intraocular pressure.