Which statement best distinguishes neovascularization from corneal encroachment?

Which statement best distinguishes neovascularization from corneal encroachment?

• A. Neovascularization has terminal ends growing toward the cornea, encroachment loops around.
• B. Encroachment has terminal ends growing toward the cornea, Neovascularization loops around the limbus.
• C. Neovascularization encroaches centrally while encroachment stays peripheral.
• D. The key difference is that neovascularization has terminal ends growing toward the cornea, encroachment approaches the cornea and loops around.

Answer: (D)

The key distinction lies in how the vessels approach the cornea. Neovascularization shows new vessels growing from the limbus with terminal ends directed toward the cornea, sending sprouts inward toward the central cornea. Corneal encroachment describes vessels coming up from the surrounding tissues and approaching the cornea but looping around the corneal margin rather than extending straight inward. So the best statement highlights this difference in growth pattern: neovascularization has terminal ends advancing toward the cornea, while encroachment approaches the cornea and loops around. This difference helps explain why the vessels’ shapes and paths look different clinically.

The key distinction lies in how the vessels approach the cornea. Neovascularization shows new vessels growing from the limbus with terminal ends directed toward the cornea, sending sprouts inward toward the central cornea. Corneal encroachment describes vessels coming up from the surrounding tissues and approaching the cornea but looping around the corneal margin rather than extending straight inward. So the best statement highlights this difference in growth pattern: neovascularization has terminal ends advancing toward the cornea, while encroachment approaches the cornea and loops around. This difference helps explain why the vessels’ shapes and paths look different clinically.