Iris neovascular tufts

Iris neovascular tufts are biomicroscopic capillary outgrowths from the pupillary margins. Iris tufts have been reported to occur in the elderly, in diabetes patients, and in myotonic dystrophy patients. Three cases have also been described in association with retinal vein occlusion. This paper describes a patient with unilateral acute retinal branch vein occlusion who had bilateral iris neovascular tufts. The bilaterality of this elderly patient's tufts suggested an underlying acquired systemic disorder. The patient denied medical illness, except for hypertension. Medical evaluation disclosed an insulin tolerance test diagnostic of diabetes, although a glucose tolerance test was not markedly abnormal. Iris tufts appeared to be associated with abnormal insulin secretion. Their occurrence with branch vein occlusion may be coincidental.