Neovascularization: Ocular diseases, animal models and therapies

Abstract

Neovascular ocular diseases (age-related macular degeneration, retinopathy of prematurity, and diabetic retinopathy) are the leading causes of blindness and are characterized by excessive new blood vessels either as choroidal neovascularization (CNV) or retinal neovascularization (RNV) which can be induced by the imbalance of growth factors. Animal models for these diseases provide valuable tools for studying the pathology, physiology, and mechanisms by which genes function and regulate these disease phenotypes. In this paper, we will review some recent studies using animal models and therapeutic treatments of these diseases. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.