Rubeosis
It is the formation of abnormal new blood vessels (neovascularization) and connective tissue on the iris surface. It may give the iris a reddish cast. It is commonly associated with late stages of diabetic retinopathy and central vein occlusion. Also, it may cause a hard-to-manage form of glaucoma.
Rubeosis is also caused when weak and unstable blood vessels emerge because other diseases have lowered the blood vessel count.
This is usually common after surgery has been performed and the eye is trying to heal and repair itself.
Visual System that is Affected
A person with rubeosis might have a gradual loss of peripheral vision that is related to the secondary problem of glaucoma. This is usually undetectable with the naked eye. It is also adventitious and more commonly regressive than progressive. The extra blood vessels are formed to provide nutrients to the eye but cut off the flow of aqueous to the outer layer of the eye. It tends to be more stable.
(Gravlee)
Functional Implications
This particular condition is often linked to diabetes in advance proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Other conditions that may cause this are central retinal vein occlusion, chronic retinal detachment, and ocular ischemic syndrome.
Treatments
If this is caught early enough, the neovascularization can be reversed with prompt pan retinal photocoagulation or PRP, or an injection of anti-VEGF medications with subsequent pan retinal photocoagulation (PRP).
This injection will block the direct effect of vascular endothelial growth factor or VEGF and will act more quickly. However, it will wear off in about six weeks.
The PRP has a much slower onset of action but it can last permanently. One the neovascularization has been longstanding, the new vessels recruit fibrous tissue, and as this forms and contracts, the angle can be permanently damaged, and will not respond to treatment. If this does occur, then surgical intervention is required to reduce the pressure like a glaucoma drainage implant.

References:
(Dembinski) (“Conditions: Rubeosis,” 2010)
(Cassin & Rubin, 2006, p. 234)
(“Rebeosis”) (“Rubeosis iridis”)Dembinski, A. (2008, June).
Avastin obliterates rubeosis iridis membrane but has little effect on
IOP . Retrieved from http://www.escrs.org/Publications/E
UROTIMES/08June/Avastinobliterat esrubeosis.pdf
Conditions: Rubeosis. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.stlukeseye.com/condition s/rubeosis.html
Cassin, B., & Rubin, M. (Eds.). (2006).
Dictionary of eye terminology (p.
234). Gainesville, Fl: Triad
Publishing Company. Retrieved from http://www.faslink.org/fasmain.htm
Rebeosis. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://library.thinkquest.org/C005949
/diseases/rubeosis.htm
Rubeosis iridis. (2010, March 5). Retrieved from http://www.mrcophth.com/glaucoma
/rubeosisiridis.html
Gravlee, J. (n.d.). Diabetic retinopathy .
Retrieved from http://www.1800clearly.com/diabetic retinopathy1.htm
Created by: Ben Davisson