Which statement describes true neovascularization?

Which statement describes true neovascularization?

• A. Growth from limbal vasculature beyond the limbus into the cornea.
• B. Non-limbal growth of vessels into the cornea.
• C. Growth from conjunctival vessels onto the retina.
• D. Increase in corneal thickness.

Answer: (A)

True corneal neovascularization is the ingrowth of new blood vessels from the limbal vascular plexus into the normally avascular cornea. The limbus is the source of these vessels, and they extend centripetally beyond the limbal border into the corneal stroma. This pathway—from limbal vessels into the cornea—defines neovascularization. Growth from non-limbal sources isn’t the classic pattern, so it’s not the same process. The option describing vessels growing onto the retina from conjunctival vessels is anatomically incorrect, and an increase in corneal thickness reflects edema, not neovascularization. So the statement that captures true neovascularization is that vessels originate at the limbus and extend into the cornea.

True corneal neovascularization is the ingrowth of new blood vessels from the limbal vascular plexus into the normally avascular cornea. The limbus is the source of these vessels, and they extend centripetally beyond the limbal border into the corneal stroma. This pathway—from limbal vessels into the cornea—defines neovascularization. Growth from non-limbal sources isn’t the classic pattern, so it’s not the same process. The option describing vessels growing onto the retina from conjunctival vessels is anatomically incorrect, and an increase in corneal thickness reflects edema, not neovascularization. So the statement that captures true neovascularization is that vessels originate at the limbus and extend into the cornea.