Corneal neovascularization

What it means

Ingrowth of new blood vessels into the cornea.

New blood vessels, which sprout from the capillaries and venules of the pericorneal plexus, may block light, compromise visual acuity, and lead to inflammation, corneal scarring, and edema. Corneal neovascularization may be a consequence of corneal hypoxia. Neovascular patterns can be separated into three clinical groups: deep neovascularization overlying Descemet's membrane (seen in herpetic and luetic interstitial keratitis), stromal neovascularization (as a result of stromal keratitis), and vascular pannus (from ocular surface disorders). Corneal pannus is subepithelial fibrovascular tissue ingrowth from the limbus onto the cornea that can be observed with corneal neovascularization.

Rare diseases that can present with this10

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Corneal neovascularisation · Corneal pannus · Corneal vascularization · Limbal neovascularization