Neovascularization within the eye contributes to visual loss in several ocular diseases, the
most common of which are proliferative diabetic retinopathy, neovascular age-related
macular degeneration, and retinopathy of prematurity. Together, these three diseases afflict
persons in all stages of life from birth through late adulthood and account for most instances
of legal blindness. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) occurs in premature neonates.
Normally, the retina becomes completely vascularized at full term. In the premature baby, the …