Medical hypothesis discovery and innovation in ophthalmology

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to be an endothelial cell-specific mitogen and an angiogenic inducer in a variety of in vitro and in vivo models. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated to increase retinal vessel permeability by increasing the phosphorylation of tight junction proteins. Recent work has found elevated levels of VEGF in ocular fluids of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Thus, it makes sense to consider anti-VEGF treatments in the management of PDR. The purpose of the current research is to determine if intravitreal bevacizumab as anti-VEGF is helpful in the management of complications of PDR.