New strategies for retinal hypoxia

A review of the scientific literature suggests that eyes with retinal neovascularisation could benefit from strategies that enhance the retina’s natural adaptive responses to hypoxia. The authors of the review note that there are powerful oxygen sensing mechanisms in the retina that rapidly detect alterations in intracellular oxygen tension and respond with adaptive changes that redress the balance between oxygen supply and demand. Those responses include rapid changes in blood flow, protective metabolic adaptations and angiogenesis. Current angiostatic regimens target aberrant angiogenesis but fail to address the underlying hypoxia. The authors suggest that future strategies should focus on improving the retina’s endogenous compensatory responses including neuroprotective mechanisms and appropriate vascular remodelling

(Lange et al, Ophthalmologica 2012 ; DOI:10.1159/000331418).