- Pathologic ingrowth of vessels from the limbal vascular plexus into
the cornea.
- Clinical features:
- Symptoms: may be asymptomatic or mild to severe decrease of
vision.
- Signs:
- Fine, superficial neovascularization is most commonly seen
in contact lens wearers, and also can be associated with blepharitis,
superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis, vernal conjunctivitis
and many others
- Pannus or deep stromal neovascularization can be seen in
eyes with extended use of contact lens, chronic blepharoconjunctivitis,
keratitis, trachoma, toxic chemical injuries, graft rejection
and phlyctenulosis.
- Causes: infection, contact lens wear, trauma, chemical burn, immunologic
diseases, degeneration or intraocular events such as uveitis, glaucoma
and pthisis bulbi.
- Management:
- Supportive, which directed at eliminating the underlying condition.
- Topical corticosteroid may be applied for gross and active
vascularization.
- Diathermy of large feeding vessels and corneal laser photocoagulation
has been among the surgical modalities to treat pannus.
- Limbal grafting may be required in eyes with severe chemical
injuries and limbal epithelium loss.
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