A review of: Shih SC, Ju M, Liu N, Smith LE 2003 Selective stimulation of VEGFR-1 prevents oxygen-induced retinal vascular degeneration in retinopathy of prematurity. J Clin Invest 112:50–57

Ischemic proliferative retinopathies, such as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and diabetic retinopathy, are major causes of blindness. These disorders are characterized by obliteration of pre-existing blood vessels and in the case of ROP, by an associated arrest in the normal development of retinal vasculature leading to retinal ischemia. In response to ischemia, the retina upregulates the secretion of angiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and a proliferative phase follows. Proliferation of new brittle intravitreal blood vessels can result in hemorrhage, the formation of tractional fibrovascular membranes, retinal detachment and irreversible blindness. Hence, the vaso-obliterative phase seems to play a critical role in preretinal neovascularization. Moreover, recent convincing experimental data indicate that the ischemic phase also leads to disorders in visual acuity arising from retinal dysfunction detected by electroretinogram (1).

Log in or create a free account to read this content

Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com

Access through your institution

or

Sign in or create an account
Continue with Google
Continue with ORCiD