Which statement correctly describes corneal encroachment?

Which statement correctly describes corneal encroachment?

• A. Encroachment approaches the cornea and loops around the cornea.
• B. Encroachment has terminal ends growing toward the cornea.
• C. It is synonymous with neovascularization.
• D. It originates from retinal vessels.

Answer: (A)

Corneal encroachment refers to tissue advancing toward the cornea in a curved way that wraps around the corneal margin rather than growing straight into the center. The hallmark is that the encroaching tissue approaches the edge of the cornea and loops around it. This orientation helps distinguish it from other processes: neovascularization specifically involves new vessels growing toward or into the cornea, and retinal vessels are not a source for corneal tissue. So the description of encroachment as approaching the cornea and looping around it best matches the characteristic pattern.

Corneal encroachment refers to tissue advancing toward the cornea in a curved way that wraps around the corneal margin rather than growing straight into the center. The hallmark is that the encroaching tissue approaches the edge of the cornea and loops around it. This orientation helps distinguish it from other processes: neovascularization specifically involves new vessels growing toward or into the cornea, and retinal vessels are not a source for corneal tissue. So the description of encroachment as approaching the cornea and looping around it best matches the characteristic pattern.