What does NVG stand for in medical terms?

September 24, 2025 •

2 min read

Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a potentially blinding disease, and its prevalence is rising due to the increase in related conditions like diabetes. Understanding the meaning behind the medical abbreviation What does NVG stand for in medical terms? is a crucial first step toward recognizing this aggressive eye disorder and seeking timely care.

Quick Summary

NVG stands for Neovascular Glaucoma, an aggressive and potentially blinding eye condition where abnormal new blood vessels form in the eye, obstructing fluid drainage and raising intraocular pressure.

Key Points

Neovascular Glaucoma (NVG): A severe form of secondary glaucoma caused by the growth of abnormal new blood vessels in the eye's drainage system.
Retinal Ischemia is the Root Cause: NVG is triggered by a lack of oxygen to the retina, which prompts the release of growth factors that spur abnormal blood vessel formation.
Underlying Conditions are Key: The majority of cases are linked to diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, and ocular ischemic syndrome.
Progressive and Damaging: The disease advances in stages, from early vessel growth to eventual closure of the eye's drainage angle, causing a sharp rise in intraocular pressure.
Multifaceted Treatment: Treatment involves controlling the underlying ischemia (with anti-VEGF injections and laser) and managing eye pressure (with medication or surgery).
Early Detection is Vital: The prognosis is guarded, making early diagnosis and aggressive management critical for preserving vision and improving outcomes.

What is Neovascular Glaucoma (NVG)?

Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a severe form of secondary glaucoma. It is characterized by the formation of abnormal new blood vessels on the iris and in the eye's drainage angle, a process called neovascularization. These new vessels block the eye's natural drainage system, leading to increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and potential vision loss. NVG was historically known as hemorrhagic or rubeotic glaucoma due to the appearance of these vessels on the iris (rubeosis iridis).

The Pathophysiology: How and Why NVG Develops

NVG develops primarily due to severe ischemia (lack of blood flow) in the retina. This lack of oxygen triggers the release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which promotes the growth of new, but abnormal, blood vessels. These vessels obstruct the eye's drainage, causing IOP to rise. Initially, the vessels block the trabecular meshwork (secondary open-angle glaucoma), and later, a membrane pulls the iris forward, closing the drainage angle (secondary closed-angle glaucoma).

Primary Underlying Causes of NVG

Most NVG cases are caused by underlying conditions leading to retinal ischemia. Common causes include Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR), Ischemic Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO), and Ocular Ischemic Syndrome (OIS). Managing these conditions is vital for prevention.

Stages, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

NVG progresses through stages: Pre-rubeosis, Rubeosis (vessels visible on iris), Secondary Open-Angle Glaucoma (elevated IOP with open angle), and Secondary Closed-Angle Glaucoma (permanently closed angle and very high IOP).

Common symptoms include:

Decreased or blurry vision
Eye pain
Redness
Light sensitivity
Headaches

Diagnosis involves a comprehensive eye exam, IOP measurement, and gonioscopy to view the drainage angle. Fluorescein angiography may also be used.

Treatment Approaches for NVG

Treatment aims to address the underlying ischemia and control IOP.


Treatment Approach	Objective	Method	Efficacy & Considerations
Address Ischemia	Reduce pro-angiogenic factors.	Anti-VEGF Agents: Injections like bevacizumab for temporary vessel regression. Panretinal Photocoagulation (PRP): Laser treatment to reduce long-term neovascular growth.	Anti-VEGF is crucial initially; PRP is the definitive treatment.
Control IOP	Lower pressure to protect the optic nerve.	Medications: Topical drops (avoid prostaglandins). Drainage Implants: Surgical shunts. Cyclodestructive Procedures: Laser to reduce fluid production.	Medications are often insufficient; shunts are common in later stages.
Manage Inflammation	Reduce discomfort.	Topical Steroids & Cycloplegics: Anti-inflammatory and muscle-paralyzing drops.	Important supportive therapy.

Prognosis and Importance of Early Action

NVG is challenging to treat, and the visual prognosis is often poor, especially with delayed diagnosis. Early detection and intervention before angle closure are critical. In severe cases, treatment may focus on pain control, sometimes requiring enucleation if pain is intractable.

Prevention Strategies

Preventing NVG involves managing underlying risks:

Diabetes: Strict blood sugar control and regular eye exams.
Retinal Vein Occlusions: Regular follow-up and preventative laser treatment.
High-risk individuals: Monitoring and management of systemic conditions like carotid artery disease.

Learn more about this serious eye condition by consulting an authoritative source like EyeWiki: Neovascular Glaucoma.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary cause of NVG is severe retinal ischemia, which is a lack of blood flow and oxygen to the retina at the back of the eye. This oxygen deprivation leads to the production of growth factors that cause abnormal new blood vessels to form.

Early symptoms can be mild or absent, but as the condition progresses, patients may experience eye pain, redness, blurry or decreased vision, light sensitivity, and headaches.

Diagnosis is made through a comprehensive eye examination. A doctor will check intraocular pressure and use a special lens (gonioscopy) to look for new blood vessels in the drainage angle of the eye.

Yes, NVG is generally considered more aggressive and has a worse visual prognosis than primary open-angle glaucoma. The abnormal blood vessel growth can lead to rapid and significant pressure spikes that are very damaging to the optic nerve.

Anti-VEGF injections are a key treatment for NVG. They deliver a drug into the eye that blocks vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the chemical signal that promotes abnormal new blood vessel growth, causing the vessels to regress.

Prevention is focused on managing the underlying conditions that cause retinal ischemia. For example, individuals with diabetes can reduce their risk by maintaining strict blood sugar control and having regular eye exams.

If left untreated, neovascular glaucoma can cause severe, uncontrolled eye pressure, intractable pain, and ultimately lead to permanent and complete vision loss.