Review Article-Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion in the Light of Anti-angiogenic Therapy

Abstract

Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) is one of the most common causes of acquired retinal vascular abnormality in adults and a frequent cause of visual loss. This circulatory disorder leads to retinal ischemia, which then induces up regulation of various inflammatory factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is a major regulator of angiogenesis and vascular permeability in the eye for physiologic as well as pathologic processes. Tissue hypoxia due to primary vascular occlusive disease is the most common driver of VEGF synthesis and as branch retinal vein occlusion is associated with increased levels of VEGF, therapy by anti-angiogenics or vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (anti-VEGF) was proposed to be a promising strategy for branch retinal vein occlusion. Consequently, several anti-angiogenics have been developed for the treatment of vasocclusive disease of retinal vein.

The objective of this review is to evaluate the efficacy of pharmacotherapy by vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors as a therapeutic solution for branch retinal vein occlusion.

Keywords: Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitors, Pharmacotherapy