PERIPHERAL PROLIFERATIVE RETINOPATHIES - AN UPDATE ON ANGIOGENESIS, ETIOLOGIES AND MANAGEMENT

Many clinical entities may be associated with the development of perip heral retinal neovascularization. In this paper, we review the mechani sms of normal and abnormal angiogenesis in the retina. Specific diseas e entities associated with peripheral proliferative retinopathies are discussed. These include vascular disease with ischemia, inflammatory diseases with possible ischemia and a variety of miscellaneous causes, including hereditary diseases and tumors. Basic principles for the cl inical evaluation of patients with retinal neovascularization are desc ribed. Finally, the treatments for retinal neovascularization, includi ng cryopexy and local and panretinal photocoagulation are reviewed, an d techniques and possible mechanisms of the beneficial results of trea tment are described