INSIGHTS INTO THE FORMATION PROCESS OF THE RETINAL VASCULATURE

Growth phenomena have been studied extensively in natural sciences. Th is interest has been renewed since the introduction of the fractal con cept. In an attempt to understand the origin of irregular phenomena, s everal computer models and theoretical approaches have recently been d eveloped. Studies using fractal analysis of the retinovasculature have proposed diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA) one of the most popular models to explain the formation of the retina. A deeper investigation of the physiological laws ruling the development of the retinovasculat ure has, however, revealed static and dynamic discrepancies with DLA, leading to rejection of the DLA model, and reopening the debate. In li ght of comparison of the two formation processes and of the absence of a DLA structural characteristic in retinovasculature, we discuss the validity of some previously proposed models.