Evaluating variance in the medical and surgical management of neovascular glaucoma

Purpose There remains a significant paucity in data on the epidemiology and management of neovascular glaucoma (NVG). We aimed to describe NVG incidence rates and establish variance in the medical and surgical management of NVG over a 6‐year period, in the context of pathway modifications implemented in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods Patients diagnosed with and treated for NVG at our centre between January 2015 and April 2021 were identified. Data on patient demographics, co‐morbidities, aetiology and intervention were extracted. Crude incidence rates were calculated. Variation in the form of intervention and severity of disease practice was studied. Multivariate regression modelling was used to look for associations with disease potentially influencing practice. Results Five‐hundred seventy seven patients (M:F 327:250) were included with mean age (SD) 70.26 (12.62), baseline cup‐to‐disc ratio (CDR) 0.75 (0.23), and intraocular pressure (IOP) 28.08 mmHg (14.01). Majority of patients were diabetic (63.9% n = 368). Retinal vein occlusion was identified in 35.0% (n = 203). NVG incidence in the 5 years pre‐COVID were 2.5/100 000 (2015), 4.9/100 000 (2016), 7.8/100 000 (2017), 11.5/100 000 (2018) and 15.8/100 000 (2019) (p