Neovascularization of the Iris (Photo)

This photo shows NVI or neovascularization of the iris. If you look closely at the iris (the colored part of the eye) you can see red blood vessels coursing over the entire area. NVI typically occurs in cases of ocular ischemia from diabetic retinopathy, though in this case this was a non-seeing eye from prior optic-nerve injury.

NVI, also known as rubeosis, in a seeing eye is an ominous sign, as vessels can quickly grow into the angle and cause a serious glaucoma that is hard to treat. To see a better view of these blood vessels, watch our neovascular glaucoma video from which this picture was captured.