Antiangiogenic Therapy for Ischemic

Neovascularization is a common pathological process in various retinal vascular disorders including diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). The development of neovascular vessels may lead to complications such as vitreous hemorrhage, fibrovascular tissue formation, and traction retinal detach-ments. Ultimately, irreversible vision loss may result. Various proangiogenic factors are involved in these complex processes. Different antiangiogenic drugs have been formulated in an attempt treat these vascular disorders. One factor that plays amajor role in the develop-ment of retinal neovascularization is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Anti-VEGF agents are currently FDA approved for the treatment of AMD and RVO. They are also exten-sively used as an off-label treatment for diabeticmacular edema (DME), proliferativeDR, and neovascular glaucoma.However, at this time, the long-term safetyof chronicVEGF inhibition has not been extensivelyevaluated. A large and rapidlyexpanding bodyof researchon angio-genesis is being conducted at multiple centers across the globe to determine the exact con-tributions and interactions among avariety of angiogenic factors in an effort to determine the therapeutic potential of antiangiogenic agent in the treatment of a variety of retinal diseases