Ocular neovascularization. The Krill memorial lecture.
The various vascular systems of the eye can undergo new vessel formation. In this presentation, I discuss new vessel growth in the cornea, lens, iris, ciliary body, choroid, retina, and optic nerve head. No single factor can explain all cases of ocular neovascularization; instead there are multiple factors which can affect the various susceptible vessels. Among the known vasculognic factors are: inflammation and its products, a hypoxic retina diffusable factor, the "tumor angiogenic factor," and possibly an aging factor. The different ocular beds possess differing sensitivity to the various vasculogenic stimuli; the iris and choroid being most sensitive and the retina and ciliary body least sensitive to such stimuli. Retinal neovascularization requires both a biochemical factor and a diseased retinal vascular bed for its induction. Ocular neovascularization is a dynamic process which requires a persisting stimulus or else the new vessels tend to regress. The normal eye seems to possess at least two antivasculogenic agents.
D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications; D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000254:growth & development*; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000098:blood supply; D003315:Cornea / Q000098:blood supply; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000150:complications; D005123:Eye / Q000098:blood supply*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000150:complications; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007498:Iris / Q000098:blood supply; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000098:blood supply; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000098:blood supply; D012160:Retina; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000150:complications