Neovascular retinopathies: etiology and models of study for searching new therapeutic targets

Abstract

Neovascular retinopathies are the main causes of blindness. In these pathologies, the visual deficit has been
caused, at least in part, by an imbalance of angiogenic factors generated by ischemia, which produces neovessel
formation and hemorrhages, with a partial or total reduction of vision. Vascular endothelial growth factor A
(VEGF-A) is the most studied molecule that mediates retinal neovascularization induced by ischemia in ocular
pathologies. Treatments for these retinopathies (photocoagulation, vitrectomy, intraocular injection of
monoclonal antibodies) try to stop them but only in very specific cases they improve it. Therefore, searching new
therapeutic targets is a challenge at present. In this review, we will provide information about the current
knowledge related to etiology of the most prevalent neovascular retinopathies, in vivo and in vitro models to
study them and the new therapeutic candidates that have arisen.